Missing Willis boater found dead, authorities investigating

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas - A search for a missing Montgomery County boater ended in tragedy as officials located him on Monday afternoon. 

Authorities were searching for 44-year-old Stephen Marriott. 

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Officials said it all started when they received a 911 call on Saturday night in reference to an overdue boater on Lake Conroe. 

Authorities said they were told Marriott had gone fishing near FM 1375 and the Cagle Boat Ramp and hadn't returned. 

Law enforcement and fire department officials responded to the area and located Marriott's vehicle and boat trailer inside of Walker County. However, they were unable to locate Marriott. 

His boat was later located in gear and unoccupied near a small island close to FM 1375. Inside the boat was Marriott's life vest and cell phone. 

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The search for Marriott continued through Saturday night and during the day on Sunday. 

"Between us, the Precinct One Constables Office here in Montgomery County, the Texas Parks and Wildlife, the fire departments, we all have sightscans and scan the bottom of the lake, and we pick up images and that’s how we were able to find him," said Lieutenant Travis Higginbotham of the Montgomery County Precinct One Constable's Office. 

Authorities stated Marriott's body was found approximately 100 yards from where authorities located his boat near FM 1375 in Walker County. 

According to a release, Walker County Justice of the Peace Judge Cole has ordered an autopsy to be conducted to determine what caused the incident. 

Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constable Philip Cash said, "Regardless if you are an avid boater, an experienced swimmer, or on a watercraft for the first time, properly fitting life jackets save lives."

Officials said an investigation into the incident is ongoing.