OAK RIDGE, TN (TWRA/WOKI) — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has confirmed the identity of the man recovered from Melton Hill Lake following a boating incident on Thursday afternoon.
At approximately 9:20 a.m. today, August 22, 2025, a TWRA investigator located the body of Kim Daugherty, 53, of Clinton, using a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) in 21 feet of water. Divers with the Blount County Special Operations Response Team later recovered the body.
The incident began around 4:00 p.m. on August 21, when the Oak Ridge Police Department received a report of a missing boater. According to witness statements, Daugherty and a woman had launched a boat from the Edgemoor Road ramp in Oak Ridge earlier in the afternoon. After the boat experienced engine trouble, the female passenger was returned to the ramp while Daugherty remained with the vessel. A short time later, she observed the unoccupied boat had drifted onto a sandbar downstream.
TWRA extends its gratitude to the Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Fire and Rescue, Tellico Village Fire and Rescue, Blount County Rescue Squad, and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the search and recovery efforts.
Daugherty’s body has been taken for an autopsy, and the incident remains under investigation. This marks the 18th fatal boating incident in Tennessee this year.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for managing and conserving fish and wildlife for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors, while also promoting public safety through law enforcement and boating safety education.
BODY OF MISSING BOATER RECOVERED ON MELTON HILL LAKE
OAK RIDGE, TN — The body of a man who went missing on Melton Hill Lake Thursday afternoon has been recovered.
At approximately 9:20 a.m. today, August 22, 2025, a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) investigator located the body using a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) in 21 feet of water. Divers with the Blount County Special Operations Response Team later recovered the body.
The incident began around 4:00 p.m. on August 21, when the Oak Ridge Police Department received a report of a missing boater. According to witness statements, a man and woman had launched a boat from the Edgemoor Road ramp in Oak Ridge earlier in the afternoon. After the boat experienced engine trouble, the female passenger was returned to the ramp while the man remained with the vessel. A short time later, she observed the unoccupied boat had drifted onto a sandbar downstream.
TWRA extends its gratitude to the Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Fire and Rescue, Tellico Village Fire and Rescue, Blount County Rescue Squad, and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the search and recovery efforts.
The victim’s body has been taken for an autopsy, and the incident remains under investigation. His identity will be released later today, pending family notification.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for managing and conserving fish and wildlife for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors, while also promoting public safety through law enforcement and boating safety education.
