LDWF Investigating Fatal Boating Incident in Rapides Parish

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents are investigating a fatal single boating incident in Rapides Parish that occurred on Sunday, Nov. 6.

Holly A. Schnepp, 55, of Alexandria was pronounced dead on the scene after a vessel she was riding in capsized on the Red River about a quarter mile from the Curtis-Coleman Bridge.

According to the male operator, the steering handle slipped out of his hand and caused the 12 foot vessel to turn quickly ejecting them into the water shortly after 7 a.m. Schnepp got caught under the vessel and couldn’t resurface.

After they were in the water for about 30 minutes, a tugboat crew saw them in the water and were able to recover them into a tugboat rescue vessel. The male operator and Schnepp were then transported to the bank where Acadian Ambulance was waiting.

LDWF agents along with Pineville Fire Department, Pineville Police Department, and the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene of the Acadian Ambulance around 7:45 a.m.

Schnepp was unresponsive and pronounced dead on the bank of the river. The male operator was conscious and brought to the Rapides Regional Hospital for minor injuries.

LDWF will be the leading investigative agency for this fatal boating incident. Schnepp and the male operator were wearing personal flotation devices. Schnepp’s body was turned over to the Rapides Parish Coroner’s Office to determine an official cause of death.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov. To receive recreational or commercial fishing email and text alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.