JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Yesterday Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Palisades Reservoir to a report of debris and boat equipment floating on the water. As deputies arrived they located two deceased bodies and then a third that had been floating in the water.
The victims were identified as Leo S. Britt, 69, of Grapeview, WA; Neal Hines, 64, of Jefferson City, WY; and Sydney Hines, (female) 44, of Jefferson City, WY.
Deputies were able to locate a small motor boat submerged in the water linked to the victims. Through investigation Deputies determined the three victims arrived at Palidades on Thursday May 4 with the intention of crossing the reservoir and camping in the McCoy Creek area until the May 5.
It appeared the small boat was overloaded and somehow capsized in the process of crossing the reservoir. The victims were found wearing life jackets but appeared to have died from hypothermia and exposure to the cold water before being able to reach the shore.
