A body was reported floating in Norfork Lake near Point 6B at 6:32 Friday morning.
According to Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery, 76 year old Samuel A. Balsano, Jr., a resident of the Gamaliel area, was found clinging to a life jacket.
Balsano’s wife said he left their residence around 7:30 Thursday evening to go fishing. Balsano was also seen leaving a private boat dock where his boat was stored around the same time.
His 1976 Hydrasport boat has not been found as of 11:23 Friday morning.
Balsano’s body was sent to the Arkansas State Medical Examiners Office in Little Rock to determine the cause of death. There were no signs of Trauma to the body and he was said to have health issues. The incident remains under investigation.
Agencies assisting in the investigation are the Baxter County Sheriffs Office, Arkansas Game and Fish, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Baxter County Coroners Office, and the Gamaliel-101 Fire Department.
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