The Tennessee Highway Patrol has released the names of the elderly couple found dead on Center Hill Lake Monday.
According to Lieutenant Jimmy Neal of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the deceased are identified as 84 year old Lendon Welch and 83 year old Charlotte Welch, both of Knoxville. He is a former Farragut High School Coach.
In a statement to WJLE via email, Lieutenant Neal described the scene as Troopers arrived Monday afternoon at Floating Mill Campground located off Floating Mill Lane in DeKalb County.
“When Troopers arrived on scene, they noticed the top of a white vehicle a 2000 Toyota Tundra in the water. Attached to the vehicle, a boat was floating above and behind the vehicle. Troopers were advised that a male subject and a female subject were discovered floating in the lake. Prior to the Troopers arrival, those two subjects were removed from the lake and placed in a DeKalb County EMS ambulance”.
“Troopers were advised by DeKalb County EMS the male subject had in his possession a TN driver license. The male subject was identified as Lendon Welch deceased age 84 from Knoxville TN. The female was identified as Charlotte Welch deceased age 83 from Knoxville TN.”
“When the wrecker pulled the vehicle out of the lake, the vehicle’s transmission was identified to be in the reverse position. Also, the vehicle’s emergency brake had been partially applied. The boat was secured in the front to the trailer by the strap,” the statement concluded.
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