THOMASVILLE, Ga. (WTXL) - A Thomas County family is in shock and mourning after a man was found dead from a suspected drowning.
55-year-old Norris Butler lived with his family on M & M Lane; a quiet dirt road, just a few miles north of downtown Thomasville. He was last seen Saturday, working on the family's property.
"The family stated to us that they believe he was in the process of trying to clear a culvert between two ponds on his property so that the water would drain," said Lt. Tim Watkins, Thomas Co. Sheriff's Office.
Deputies searched the home Tuesday and found Butler's wallet, credit cards and other personal items, but they couldn't find Butler. Wednesday morning, they returned with cadaver dogs to search the culvert.
"One of the deputies actually got into the water and looked through the culvert and was able to see him in there," said Lt. Watkins. "There were no signs of trauma to Butler's body. We believe it's purely accidental."
The Butler family declined to talk with WTXL on camera. They say Norris' death was an unexpected, freak accident.
"We don't know if he got sucked in when he pulled the trash out of it and the water started going through. The force of the water may have sucked him into it," said Lt. Watkins.
Lt. Watkins says TCSO has turned Butler's body over to the coroner, who's working with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Crime Lab. They'll determine whether they need to do an autopsy.
Lt. Watkins warns, if you need repairs that could be dangerous, hire a professional. If you decide to do repairs yourself, don't do them alone.
"Have someone else there with you, don't do this by yourself," said Lt. Watkins. "You should never enter the water by yourself, just like you should never go shooting by yourself. Always take someone with you."
