After searching for over 15 hours, search and rescue teams found a missing Deville man alive on the Dewey Wills Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in LaSalle Parish.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents along with the Louisiana State Police, LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office started searching for John L. Paul Jr., 29, after he was reported missing at 7:30 p.m. on July 20 on the Dewey Wills WMA.
LDWF agents found Paul on the banks of North Fork Bayou while conducting a search by boat of the area at 10:40 a.m. on July 21. Paul was released to his family and did not need any medical treatment. Paul told agents that he was out there with his dog and got turned around and lost.
The last known contact with Paul occurred around noon on July 20 when he called his girlfriend to bring him some water. When the girlfriend arrived on the scene all she found was Paul’s truck.
The search and rescue teams used dogs, boats, a helicopter and infrared thermal imaging devices in the search.
LDWF agents participating in the search and rescue mission included Lt. Travis Burnett, Lt. Russ Kiser, Sgt. James Parish, Sgt. Marcus Constance, Sgt. Kevin Hill, Senior Agent Jay Callegari, Senior Agent John Volentine, Senior Agent Byron Cammack, Senior Agent Joey Tarver and Senior Agent David Nelson.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.
Louisiana man found alive after spending night lost in the woods
