Body of missing Madison swimmer found

The body of missing Madison boater Greg Kassel was found Thursday afternoon, officials said.

The body was found about 200 yards away from where the witnesses said they believed Kassel went in, according to Madison County Emergency Management Agency Director Butch Hammack. The water there was about 25 feet deep.

The cause of death, Hammack said, will be determined by the coroner. There will be a routine investigation into the death, which will be handled by Ridgeland Police Department.

The search went on Wednesday and Thursday for Kassel after he went overboard while boating with friends on the Ross Barnett Reservoir Tuesday night.

At some point after entering the water, Kassel didn't come back to the surface, and the three others in his boat didn't know how to save him, officials said. Reservoir Police got the call around 10:30 p.m.

Reservoir Police Chief Perry Waggener said Thursday that searchers were dealing with the possibility of bad weather, but it didn't hinder the search.

Waggener said lightning can endanger the lives of the searchers, and high winds can throw off scanners because the boat pitches.

Late Wednesday, Waggener confirmed that the search was a recovery operation.

Kassel, 53, was a new grandfather, a father of four, a business owner, a pilot, and a boater, among many other things.

"He was a great father. If every kid could have a father like him, the world would be a much better place," said Scotty Kassel, 18, Kassel's son.

To Joe Moss, Greg Kassel was like a father.

"I loved him dearly. He was always there for advice, and he was always an ear to listen, and during my separation, in my darkest times, he gave me a place to live," Moss said. "He was that man you could always trust, he was always helpful. He was such a level person."

Greg Kassel was originally from Baton Rouge, but graduated from high school in Jackson, then attended the University of Southern Mississippi. People who knew him said he related well to everyone, across the board.

"He was the kind of person who was a friend to everyone no matter their age. I have two little boys who loved Mr. Greg and his cinnamon raisin bagels with jelly, they will miss him, as we all will," said family friend Amanda Tate. "Greg was the kind of friend who was there for everyone, whether it was an ear to listen or to give sound and logical advice when requested."

Jackie Franco, who had known Greg Kassel for about four years, described him as "a peacemaker," and said

"He was gentle and funny, and he was a philosopher. He knew a lot about the Bible," she said. "He was a truth seeker, but at the same time he could kick back and have a great time."

Police said Kassel went into the water on the Madison side of the reservoir, between the dam and Madison Landing. Waggener said he was swimming and the wind carried the boat away from him.

Some of Kassel's family members said they believe he fell in the water. Crews searched for him Tuesday night until the search was suspended around 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, the search resumed around 7.

Teams of divers and at least 10 sonar units have been included in the search. There's also an air search underway, with Metro One making passes over the area of the reservoir

This is a developing story. We will update as details become available.