NATCHEZ — The body of an 86-year-old man was recovered Tuesday evening from Gilliard Lake on the St. Catherine Creek National Wildlife Refuge in south Adams County.

The body of the apparent drowning victim, Frank Sullivan, was recovered at approximately 6 p.m. by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and Adams County Search and Rescue, a spokesperson for the ACSO said.

Deputies first responded to the wildlife refuge after a fisherman contacted the refuge’s office and said he had found an empty boat on the lake with a hat and paddle floating in the water nearby.

The boat was reportedly lodged against a stump approximately 100 yards from shore.

Deputies were able to confirm Sullivan was in the area after running the tag on a truck in the lake’s parking area and then contacting a neighbor to confirm Sullivan was not home.

Family members identified the body at the scene after it was recovered, authorities reported.