TERREBONNE PARISH, La. – The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division is investigating a fatal boating incident that claimed the life of a Houma man over the weekend.
According to LDWF, enforcement agents, assisted by the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, recovered the body of Donald P. Webre, 73, of Houma, from Rice Bayou at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, June 27.
Authorities were notified around 11 a.m. after Webre’s family reported they had not heard from him since the previous day. Investigators learned that Webre had traveled to Rice Bayou to tend to a stationary butterfly net.
During the search, agents and deputies located Webre’s boat tied alongside a barge with no one aboard. A search of the surrounding water was immediately launched, and Webre was later found deceased.
His body was released to the Terrebonne Parish Coroner’s Office, which will determine the official cause of death.
LDWF’s Enforcement Division is leading the investigation. At this time, investigators have not determined what caused Webre to enter the water. Officials also noted that he was not wearing a personal flotation device when his body was recovered.
The investigation remains ongoing.
