June 20, 2025 (1pm) - Shelby County Sheriff Chief Deputy Mike Hanson released the name of the individual who drowned in Lake Timpson to be Gregory Parker who was 43 years old and from Timpson. Hanson advised Parker and a friend were out on the lake in separate kayaks when the friend heard Parker "holler out." Before the friend could get to Parker, he went under the water for an unknown reason. Search teams were finally able to locate him near the location where he went in the water after Texas Game Warden Sam Anderson saw Parker's knee on sonar equipment. The lake is full of downed trees from recent storms along with vegetation which complicated the recovery efforts.
An updated list of agencies and individuals who assisted with the search: DeSoto Parish Fire District #1 Dive Team, San Augustine Fire Department Dive Team; Shelby County Sheriff Gerald Corbell; Shelby County Chief Deputy Mike Hanson; Shelby County Sheriff's Office Investigative Division, Patrol, and Jail Staff; Shelby County Constable Precinct 5 Constable Josh Tipton; Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Troopers; Texas Department of Emergency Management; Texas Game Wardens; Nacogdoches Police Department; Shelby County Precinct 4 Commissioner Tom Bellmeyer; Shelby County Constable Precinct 3 Constable Roy Cheatwood; Robin and Duncan Connell with Bink's Timpson Quick Stop; Hudson Volunteer Fire Department Cadaver K-9 Unit; as well as several citizens who assisted with their own boats and sonar equipment.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Department thanks all who assisted with the search and recovery operation and with bringing closure to Parker's family.
Recovery Teams Locate Missing Individual at Lake Timpson
June 20, 2025 (10am) - On day three of the search for a missing individual in Lake Timpson, Shelby County Sheriff Gerald Corbell reports the victim was located around 9:30am Friday morning by searchers. Pct. 5 Justice of the Peace Tracy Broadway was called to the scene to perform the inquest and the body was sent to Dallas for an autopsy.
During the search agencies from Shelby County and surrounding counties came to assist including Nacogdoches Police Department, DeSoto Parrish Dive Team, San Augustine Fire Department Dive Team, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Department of Public Safety Patrol officers, and the Shelby County Sheriff's Department. Along with the agencies helping, Sheriff Corbell mentioned there were many citizen volunteers who came to help. The show of support from the community was tremendous.
The identity of the victim will be added once it has been released.
June 18, 2025 - Timpson Lake outside of Timpson is the location of a search for an individual involved in a boating incident on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
Emergency personnel were notified around 9:15am. Texas Game Wardens and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department deputies are on the water in boats still searching as of 1:15pm.
Shelby County Sheriff’s Department personnel including Sheriff Gerald Corbell, Chief Mike Hanson, Jail Administrator Tiffany Ryals and Araceli Garcia were on scene, as well as Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Department of Emergency Management.
More information will be updated as it becomes available.
