Updated: 7/27/2009 11:54:37 PM
On Monday night, searchers recovered the body of a woman who disappeared in the water while boating on Tellico Lake Saturday.
Stephanie Renee McDonald, 32, was boating with several other people when she went underwater and did not resurface.
Her body was found about 8:15 p.m. Monday near the Tellico Harbor Clubhouse, according to the Vonore Police Department.
The police chief said her family wanted to thank the many people who spent hours searching for McDonald over the past two days.
McDonald was also known as Renee Russell McDonald. Russell was her maiden name.
"She was just a sweet girl, she didn't know a stranger," said Christopher Plemons.
On Saturday night, Plemons waited at the lake holding out hope that his cousin would be found alive.
"As things progressed that hope diminished," said Plemons.
Sunday, he watched as divers searched the water in Tellico Lake near the Tellico Harbor Marina, along Highway 72.
"We have the rescue squad out with boats using their equipment, searching the shore line, we've got specialized sonar equipment scanning under the water we have divers searching under the water," said Vonore Police Chief John Hines.
The team concentrated on areas where witnesses reported McDonald was last seen.
"With barbed wire, fence posts and things of that nature on the bottom it is very hazardous, and they only have a few feet of visibility because the water is murky, it is quite easy for them to get entangled and trapped," said Chief Hines.
Numerous agencies responded to help in the search effort.
"The Red Cross has been a very big help as far as helping around the community, with our family and they've been really great," said Plemons.
TWRA is investigating the incident.
