Concord man found dead in water after mowing along Ft. Loudoun Lake

A Concord man was found dead, in what is believed to be a drowning, after going missing while mowing near Fort Loudoun Lake Friday, May 27.

Knox County Sheriff’s Office officials were alerted at 10:15 p.m. that James Thomas Barnewell, 26, of 1024 Harbour Shore Drive, was missing “and had last been seen mowing near the water,” according to Kimberly Glenn, KCSO communications director.

Patrol Units arrived at the scene at 10:22 p.m., finding “the mower in the (lake) with no sign of the individual,” Glenn stated. Rural Metro Fire Department and Knoxville Rescue Squad also responded, as officers and rescue personnel began searching for Mr. Barnewell in the lake, where he was found a short time later.

The Knox County Medical Examiner was called to the scene, and Barnewell’s body was taken to Knox County Forensic Center for testing. An official report of the incident was not available at press deadline.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family,” Glenn said.