Search for two hunters continues after six weeks

With the exception of Monday, someone from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office has been on the Mississippi River searching for Zeb Hughes and Gunner Palmer for the past six weeks.

Hughes and Palmer were reported missing Dec. 3, 2020, after not returning from a duck hunting trip.

Monday, the ramp at LeTourneau Landing was iced over making it dangerous to launch a boat.

Agents from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, along with family, friends and numerous volunteers continue the search efforts as well.

The river has risen to over 32 feet since the search began, bringing with it countless pieces of debris that make searching more difficult. The search area has also expanded with some now searching south of Natchez.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said Tuesday that his office would continue to search every day that weather and river conditions allow. With the constant flow of debris creating an additional hazard, searchers are returning to land just after 5 p.m. daily before darkness sets in.