Mekhius Williams headed out to the Buffalo River on a warm Saturday with family and friends. The 20-year-old from Columbia wanted a day of kayaking and swimming in Wayne County. Everything seemed fine until he tried to cross the water.
Rapid flow hit him hard. Williams went under and did not come back up. Those with him watched as the current pulled him out of sight.
Sheriff’s deputies reached the river around 3:30 that afternoon. Crews from the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and the Lawrenceburg Fire Department Dive Team joined the search right away.
They found Williams later. His body came out of the river after a hard recovery effort.
The Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office called for an autopsy. Officials need to confirm the exact cause of death.
No one sees any sign of foul play. The case stays open while the autopsy results come in.
Family and friends now face the sudden loss of a young man who simply wanted time on the water with the people closest to him.
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