On April 24, 2024 at approximately 1:27 p.m., Paragould Emergency Services received a 911 call regarding a male in distress after he had launched his boat from the boat ramp at Lake Frierson. The deceased has been identified as Bryan Keith Slayton, age 60, of rural Greene County.
At this time, it appears that the boat began floating away after it was launched. In an effort to retrieve the boat, Mr. Slayton began swimming out to it. Upon reaching the boat, Slayton began exhibiting distress and requesting assistance. Before anyone could reach him, Slayton disappeared under the water and never resurfaced.
In addition to deputies from my office, responders from Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Game & Fish, Greene County Rescue Squad, and the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team arrived to assist. At approximately 3:02 p.m., divers located Slayton. Slayton was pronounced deceased on scene by the Greene County Coroner’s Office.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Mr. Slayton for their loss.
- Sheriff Brad Snyder