Body of Boater Missing in Lake Hartwell Found Wednesday

Anderson County, SC authorities say the body of a boater missing since July has been found.

Members of a non-profit group from Wisconsin called Bruce’s Legacy found the body of Kip Burrell Wednesday afternoon in the Singing Pines area of Lake Hartwell on the South Carolina side.

Bruce’s Legacy Founder Keith Cormican (KOR-mih-kin) says he and his partner Beth Darst found Burrell in about 100 feet of water Wednesday using sonar equipment and a specialized underwater robot.

“We found him with sophisticated sonar,” he said. “Once we locate him with the sonar, we use an remote-operated vehicle to bring him to the surface.”

“He was found in the northern section of the area where rescue personnel had previously searched,” Combs said. “According to Mr. Cormican, this is the 21st drowning victim his organization has recovered in the last four years. He brings with him over $300,000 in equipment to conduct each search.”

Anderson County officials say Kip and Stacy Burrell of Seneca were boating on the lake July 15 when they got caught in a sudden storm.

Strong winds caused their boat to overturn throwing them into the water.

Stacy Burrell told authorities she and her husband tried to swim to shore but got tired.

A passing boater spotted Stacy in the water and got her safely to shore, but her husband remained missing.

Georgia and South Carolina DNR divers searched for Kip Burrell for almost two weeks before finally giving up.

Burrell was found Wednesday not far from where divers had searched in July.

According to their Web site, Bruce’s Legacy was founded by Cormican to help families who have lost a loved one to drowning and to help bring them closure.

Burrell’s family contracted with Bruce’s Legacy and another non-profit group, Mitchell’s Light to search for his body.