COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. — Searchers have located an unidentified body in the French Broad River while looking for two men who drove their vehicle into the water during a police chase.
The body was tangled up in debris about 12 to 14 feet from the river's edge.
According to a press release by the Cocke County Sheriff's Office, the body was removed from the waters by the Newport Rescue Squad, Cocke County Fire Department, and other Volunteer agencies.
The body has not been identified and was sent to the Knoxville Forensic Center for an autopsy.
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Crews are trying to locate two men reported missing after driving their vehicle into the French Broad River during a chase.
The Cocke County Sheriff's Office said that on Jan. 22, two people were involved in a car chase. Towards the end, they drove their vehicle into the French Broad River. According to a Facebook post from the sheriff's office, two men got out, swam to an island and a woman came out under a bridge.
The two men were identified as Bobby Shelton, 31, of Hartford, and Steven Hance, 49, of Newport.
The woman was identified as Alyson Hinson, 36, of Dandridge, who according to an incident report, had an active warrant out of Cocke County Sessions Court.
Hinson told deputies that Shelton was the driver and Hance was the front passenger.
Deputies said that both men have warrants for their arrest, but "would rather know they are found safe" first.
Warrants were obtained for Shelton for evading arrest, speeding, reckless driving, driving on a revoked license, and financial responsibility.
The rescue squad was dispatched to the scene and joined deputies to search the islands, waters and banks.
The next morning deputies along with the rescue squad and EMA searched from the entry spot and down the river. They also searched the islands, waters and banks again.
Deputies were notified anonymously after the search ended that two people were picked up in a small car at Bridgeport Market the same night and taken to a house in the Bridgeport area.
Individuals have also contacted the sheriff's office claiming they had seen both of the men a day after the pursuit.
The Cocke County Emergency Management Agency said that on Jan. 31 the sheriff's office conducted a search.
On Thursday around 1 p.m., the sheriff's office, Cocke County Fire Department, EMA, Newport Rescue Squad and Volunteer Fire Departments conducted a search operation as well. The search involved drone, vehicle, boat, and foot assets from county agencies. The operation was planned based on weather and terrain conditions.
Stay with WBIR for more details.