Navasota man missing in Lake Travis

TRAVIS COUNTY – A search for a Navasota man, 28-year old Lonnie Gray, has turned up empty after he went missing while swimming in Lake Travis Saturday, July 3.

Despite using sonar technology with divers on standby, authorities have not located Gray. At 4:53 p.m. Saturday, July 3, Travis County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 report of a missing swimmer in the Hatter Cove area of Lake Travis. Multiple agencies participated in rescue efforts, but at 5:29 p.m. the efforts shifted to recovery. TCSO searched to recover the body until dusk, assisted by Texas Parks and Wildlife, Jonestown Police and Fire Departments, Lake Travis Fire and Rescue, Briarcliff Fire Department and Starlight.

Gray was last seen swimming in an area of the lake that is 85-130 feet deep. The search area is several football fields in length with groves of trees at the bottom which are hazardous for sonar and divers.

Over the weekend TCSO issued a statement about the recovery efforts: TCSO’s search efforts were continuous throughout the week. Deputies started shoreline searches daily, at 6 a.m. During daylight hours, TCSO’s entire fl eet of boats actively searched using various types of sonar. Texas Parks & Wildlife assisted nearly every day, using their deep sonar. Tuesday afternoon, Austin Police Department searched using their sonar and Houston Police Department searched using their 360 sonar on Wednesday. TCSO’s Dive Team remained on stand by to dive whenever a viable location was identifi ed. Search dogs and underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) were also used in the recovery efforts.

Lake Patrol Deputies will continue to respond to calls on Lake Travis and while on duty, will also conduct surface and shoreline searches. Sonar and dive team searches will continue on an intermittent basis. TCSO is grateful to all the agencies who assisted in the search and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Gray.”

According to the statement, Gray is one of three swimmers reported missing on Lake Travis within the last 10 years who have not been recovered. In May of 2018, Manuel Salas of Elgin was last reportedly seen near Mansfield Dam (140 feet deep) and in July of 2014, Song Hy Sok of Dallas was last reportedly seen in the Sandy Creek Arm (90 feet deep with pecan trees).