On May 5, 2017, around 2100 hours, Cleburne County Deputies responded to a report of a missing kayaker from JFK park, just north of Heber Springs.  The caller reported that Lendon Brewer, 54, of Scott, Arkansas, had gone out on a kayak around 1800 hours, but had not returned.  Rescue crews from the Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas Game and Fish, Wilburn Fire, Tumbling Shoals/Ida Fire, and Northstar EMS responded to the scene, and recovered Lendon’s body a short time later.  The incident is still under investigation, however, his death is presumed to have been accidental.  This marks the first drowning death of 2017 in Cleburne County.

-Sheriff Chris Brown