The mother and daughter who were from McLean County were found dead Tuesday afternoon inside their vehicle that was submerged in the Green River, according to the Webster County Coroner and the McLean County Sheriff’s Office.
Webster County Coroner Darin K. Townsend first confirmed the deaths just after 6 p.m., and the Sheriff’s Office issued a statement at 6:22 p.m. The women’s family has been notified.
Law enforcement previously said the women, 59-year-old Reginia Payne and 80-year-old Bonnie Mayes, left Riverside Manor in Calhoun for a trip to Owensboro late Friday night before they went missing.
Townsend said the vehicle was found submerged Tuesday in the Green River just north of a boat ramp in Onton, Kentucky, in Webster County. He said divers located the vehicle and verified the license plate matched. Townsend said the divers waited until his deputies got there before they completely pulled the vehicle out.
According to the MCSO statement, “preliminary investigation points to accidental deaths.”
Towsend similarly said, “As of right now, it looks accidental like they just drove off into the river. That area is not well-lit. It’s dark. There’s not a whole lot of signage. … (that road) just drops right off into the river.”
Townsend said while there are no signs of foul play, the bodies will be transported to the medical examiner’s office for an autopsy as the investigation continues.
Agencies assisting in the search and investigation included the Owensboro Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central District Fire Department, Webster County EMA, Webster County Coroner’s Office, Tri-State Towing, and Henderson Fire Department and Dive Team.
Any expressions of sympathy can be dropped off at the Calhoun Baptist Life Center.
