Robert Helms, 68, of De Soto was found dead in a lake south of De Soto early this morning, May 18, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
De Soto Rural Deputy Fire Chief John Scullin said Helms left his home Wednesday morning, May 17, to go fishing. At 11:47 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to assist the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office with a search for the missing man after deputies found the man’s truck and trailer near a lake the Big Woods Subdivision.
Scullin said a firefighter and a K-9 quickly found Helms in the water near the shore. The body was recovered at about 4 a.m., he said.
The Hillsboro, Jefferson R-7 and High Ridge fire protection districts and the Valle Ambulance District helped at the scene.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death. The cause of death has not been determined but is not believed to be foul play.