Dillard man drowns in Lake Rabun

File photoPhoto byDaniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com

Searchers have recovered the body of a Dillard man who drowned in Lake Rabun, according to a news release from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Shortly after midnight Sunday, a diver recovered the body of 39-year-old Robert Clinkscales. His body was found in 40 to 50 feet of water about 30 feet from a boathouse, says DNR Law Enforcement Division Public Affairs Officer Mark McKinnon.

McKinnon says a neighbor saw Clinkscales at 10:30 p.m. on Friday, July 5. Family members found his shoes and cell phone at the boathouse entrance the next morning.

"The victim had plans to ski that morning with buddies, so he wasn’t missed by family until late morning," officials explained. "After they found his phone and shoes, they spent the afternoon calling family and friends, trying to find him."

Unable to locate him, Clinkscales's mother reported her son missing. Game wardens were alerted to a possible drowning at the property around 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 6.

"Shortly after the officers arrived on scene, the subject was located," says McKinnon.

The Rabun County Search and Rescue (SAR) team, with help from a Towns County diver, recovered Clinkscales' body. The SAR team turned over his body to the Rabun County coroner.