By Vershal Hogan

The Natchez Democrat

 

NATCHEZ — The body of one of two Port Gibson fishermen missing since March 8 was recovered Friday afternoon from the Mississippi River south of Natchez.

The body of Joshua Wilson, 25, was located 39 miles south of Natchez, wearing a blue shirt and tan pants.

Wilson had been missing along with his brother Darryl, 30, since early March. The two were commercial fishermen whose last known whereabouts was working from a boat in the Mississippi River for their family business, 61 Fish Market in Port Gibson.

Early search efforts for the men were hampered by severe weather.

Joshua Wilson’s body was discovered after an employee on the tug and barge City of Greenville notified the U.S. Coast Guard at 9:57 a.m. that a body was floating in the river in the area of East Sibley Farm Road where it meets the river, Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies reported. ACSO investigators contacted the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to help in the search, and Adams County Search and Rescue helped in the search by air.

Joshua Wilson’s brother, Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper Charles Wilson, positively identified the body.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has resumed the search for Darryl Wilson in light of the discovery, and will start at the south end of the river doing a full sweep as they approach Natchez, the sheriff’s office reported.