Name released: Man Found Dead in Mud River Lake
Name released: Man Found Dead in Mud River Lake Save Email Print
Posted: 8:55 PM Jul 28, 2007
 Last Updated: 5:47 PM Jul 29, 2007
 Reporter: Amanda Barren
Email Address: Amanda.Barren@wsaz.com
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Mud RiverVolunteer Firefighters say one person is dead after a fishing trip in Lincoln County. It happened in the community of Spurlockville at the Mud River Lake.

Firefighters say the victim is Tracy Paul Ryder from Ona. He and two friends were out fishing. The two men decided to jump in the water because they were muddy, and that's when the victim went under. This all happened at about 8:30 p.m. on Saturday night.

It only took crews about 10 minutes to find the body. Firefighters say it doesn't appear anything unusual happened, but state police are handling the investigation.
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Posted by: Kentucky on Aug 13, 2007 at 02:07 PM
I send my prayers out to his family, this is such a terrible thing that happened to on of the sweetest guys you will ever meet.
Posted by: friend on Aug 13, 2007 at 02:05 PM
I just don't believe the story they have out there, he was a great swimmer. I think someone knows more!
Posted by: K. on Aug 13, 2007 at 02:04 PM
tracy was a great guy and even better person. we will miss him.
Posted by: Loss of a friend on Aug 9, 2007 at 04:24 PM
Tracy was the best friend anyone could ask for. He was always there when you needed him. Everyone that he knew was somehow touched by him, and we will all miss him. Tracy, you were a great friend, I will miss you.
Posted by: Friend on Aug 9, 2007 at 04:20 PM
Tracy was the kindest person you could ever meet. He was so full of life. It is just still so hard to beleive he was taken from us. If you knew Tracy you knew he was a very strong swimmer and none of this makes any sense. There are people out there that are saying they know the story, well tell the truth for his familys sake!!!
Posted by: Tara on Aug 9, 2007 at 03:53 PM
Tracy was a great friend! He was always so good to my daughter and I! His smikle could brighten your day no matter how bad it was! He meant so much to a lot of people and the world will never be the same without him by our sides! He was such a talented and gifted person. He was always there to help no matter what you needed! He was a great horse trainer and farrier! My daughter loved riding with him and loved having him as her trainer! SHe misses him greatly , and so do I. This summer was the best I have had in a long time because of him, and I thank him. He showed me I could be happy again!Thank you Tracy , we love you and miss you deeply! I thank Paul for raising such a kind and respectful son! Paul and Penny are such wonderful people and they have become like family to me. When you meet Paul you know why Tracy was such a great guy, he took after his Dad.I was so blessed to have Tracy in my life and am blessed everyday to have his family still in it.For you that knows, speak out!
Posted by: Shana on Aug 7, 2007 at 04:15 PM
I have known Tracy for a long time, and I know that the story that was told has little truth if any! Tracy you are my best friend and nothing will ever change that! I know that you will always be with me no matter where I go. I love you so much! I plan on making you proud in Decatur, AL as I win you a World Celebration horseshoe of roses with your mares. And Tracy, dont worry bout Duke, me and Paul will take care of him, he loves you and misses you too!!
Posted by: Stacy on Aug 3, 2007 at 01:47 PM
I would like to say thanks to all of you who have expressed your sympathy to our family. Tracy was the best friend anyone could ask for. He could cheer up anyone with just a smile. He lived life to the fullest. He was and will ALWAYS be loved by so many people. He will never be forgotten . Anyone who looks in the face of his nephew will be reminded of Tracy. I can only hope he grows up to be as good a man as Tracy was. Bubby I will always love and miss you. I will keep my memories of you forever in my heart. Give Papaw a hug for me.
Posted by: want to know on Jul 31, 2007 at 11:00 AM
So to all of you who say this story is not what happened...well, what did happen?? Does anyone know the truth??? Please help if so...I went to school with him and would really like to know. I agree that something does not add up.
Posted by: dAnielle on Jul 31, 2007 at 03:28 AM
I was shocked to hear this about Tracy, may God be with his family in their time of need. Tracy will be dearly missed by many!
Posted by: OLD FRIEND on Jul 31, 2007 at 12:19 AM
I MET TRACY A FEW YEARS AGO IT SHOCKS ME THAT THIS HAPPENED. ITS NOT RIGHT THAT THIS HAPPENED A PERSON AS GOOD AS HIM. HE MEANT ALOT TO ME. I WILL MISS HIM. I CAN ONLY OFFER MY CONDOLENCES AND HOPE IF SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED TO HIM THEY FIND OUT. LOVE YOU TRACY
Posted by: Cathie on Jul 30, 2007 at 10:33 PM
I am Best Friends with Tracy's sister and he was a very special guy. Anytime you needed something he was there. He will be missed very much expecially by his sister and his dad.The world has lost a great person. I loved him as a little brother.For anyone who thinks they know what happened they don't unless they were there. If they were then they need to come forward and tell us what they saw or heard. Don't make up stuff. It is hard enough to deal with losing him.Anyone that know him Loved him and we will always love him and we will all take care of DUKE.
Posted by: FRIENDS IN KY on Jul 30, 2007 at 07:07 PM
TRACY WAS A VERY NICE GUY WHO ALWAYS HAD A SMILE AROUND HORSE SHOWS. AND WAS A GREAT HORSE SHOEER. OUR PRAYES ARE WITH FAMILY.
Posted by: A FRIEND on Jul 30, 2007 at 07:02 PM
TRAC YOU WILL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH YOU MEANT TO ME YOU WERE ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS. I WILL MISS YOU. OUR PRAYER AND THOUGHT ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU TRAC
Posted by: Joanie on Jul 30, 2007 at 11:52 AM
This is a tragic story. I know Tracy and his dad. I am shocked to find this out because he was quite able to swim. This is a loss that will be with me forever. Tracy was a great guy and I will miss him.
Posted by: truth on Jul 30, 2007 at 10:42 AM
1 woman---2 men, one of the men is the decedent .
Posted by: A Friend on Jul 30, 2007 at 10:41 AM
Tracy was a very special person to a lot of people you could never stay mad at him. I will always remember him as a loving and caring guy with always a smile on his face. Tracy was one of a kind. May he rest in peace and our prayers are with Paul and Penny. He is going to be sadly missed by Duke.
Posted by: jo on Jul 30, 2007 at 08:49 AM
to jesie...what is the whole story? Tracy is a good friend and I'd like to know what exactly happened. Things just don't add up here.
Posted by: jesie on Jul 29, 2007 at 04:35 PM
THERE HAS BEEN MISTAKES IN THIS STORY. FROM MY UNERSTANDING IT WASN'T TWO MEN BUT A MAN AND A WOMAN. AND THEY DIDN'T JUMP IN TO WASH OFF MUD. MY FRIEND WAS THERE AND TOLD ME THE WHOLE STORY.
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  • Posted By: Fixed that for you: Any one who is paid by the general public, us, should have no problem taking urine tests. After all they are in the pubic debt for paying them. Its simple NO TEST, NO CHECK. This is not an attempt to violate rights, it is an attempt to enforce the publics right for our money to go to people in government and on welfare who can be TRUSTED.
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  • Posted By: redbaron: in response to pablo on comment dated 01/06 - EXCUSE ME!! I do believe FIREFIGHTERS also risk their lives for total strangers and no they are NOT law enforcement!
  • Posted By: omg: I am so sick and tired of hearing how public school teachers are indebted to the public for their salary. Many of you are so freakin nosey that if your neighbor stopped too fast, you'd have to get a crane to remove your head from their rear. I am so tired of this drug test line. Teachers deserve to pee in peace and so do you. Why should teachers be forced to have their personal lives paraded all over the news? That is exactly what would happen. If a typical joe blow got fired from the coal mines for drugs, it wouldn't make front page news. A teacher being fired for drugs would. You people expect teachers to be the mother, father, grandparent, clergyman, counselor, as well as the teacher. You don't do anything with your kids but expect the teacher to fix all the problem you create. Some of them probably need drugs by the time they are done raising your spoiled kids who think the world owes them something on a silver platter. Take your own drug test before you get pregnant.
  • Posted By: Sophie: Re: The student (Hinzman?) being expelled for using foul language after being bullied & beaten on school grounds; you should not have been expelled for expressing your hurt, anger & disgust. You were a victim and did nothing. It is unreasonable to punish the victim - so what if he cussed - I'd cuss too if someone beat the beegeebers out of me. The kid who beat you should receive jail time & counciling; the kid who filmed you & released it on U-Tube should too. It has often been said that television is desensitizing our children so badly they have no empathy for others. This is a prime example. I hope the school board will have enough common sense to clear this victims school record of the incident as he should not have been expelled, and get him counciling also as such a trauma will surly have an effect on a young life.
  • Posted By: Boyd: Any one who is employed and gets paid by the general public, us, should have no problem taking urine tests. After all they are in the pubic debt for paying them for their work. Its simple NO TEST, NO JOB. This is not an attempt to violate rights, it is an attempt to enforce the publics right for federal, state and municipal employees who can be TRUSTED.
  • Posted By: George: As a parent I have no problem being drug tested. I'll stand in line right behind Katy.
  • Posted By: goodorbad: I look at it like this-if you dont have anything to hide, shut up and do the test!
  • Posted By: Rick: I think all teachers should be drug tested, I drive a transit bus for our county and I want the public to know I am drug free and teachers should want everyone to know the same, that their children are not in the care of people on drugs,if you have nothing to hide why object to random testing I know I don't
  • Posted By: Tea: I can't even imagine that our teachers have not been drug tested up until this time. Anyone who refuses should be fired. These are our children!!! People take drug test when they don't even work with people, let alone children. These are government jobs and we should have a say in what they have to do.
  • Posted By: Ari: Cheers to Rob-I feel ya!
  • Posted By: joe: I have worked for companies all over this nation and have had to take drug tests. Why should teachers be exempt from this practice? It is now common to be randomly tested(and I have been) so what makes a teacher any different than a steel worker. I can say proudly that I passed but I have seen those who didn't. They chose to use drugs and lost their jobs I didn't.
  • Posted By: Katy: As a teacher, I have no problem being randomly drug tested...as long as you agree to drug test the parents who enter the doors of my school as well. Most teachers deal with students who are exposed to/use more drugs and alcohol than any of the teachers. If these students or parents who are using drugs (and are not drug tested) enter our schools, the safety of the teachers and students are at risk. Since children spend more time with them, let's randomly drug test PARENTS, too!!!
  • Posted By: stephen: Why the heavy emphasis ont he damage to property and life Israel is doing . Where was the media uproar for years that Hamas was rocketing Israel irespective of innocent israelis.. Hamas is actualykilling their own citizens by firing rockets from UN schools and residents. Why does UN allow Hamas to use facilities for attacking Israel, then complain when Israel responds to protect their territory and citizens. Israel targets military targets, respons to from whence rockets or gun fire comes. What would we fire at if Huntington was attacked?Why does the media not put bla,e where balame belongs, and give moral support to the aggreived.What would America do if attacked? to whom would we listen? Russia, Saudi Arabia,Iran?.Media get REAL! Who has given Hamas and the Palestinians millions with which they could buy weapons---American taxpayers money!
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  • Posted By: Boyd: If the state's budget is doing so well, why don't we use some of this money to help towns and cities in the state who are in trouble with their budget, or will this just become another pay raise for politicians?
  • Posted By: Rob: Why does everyone have to be so into using the term "racist" and have that kind of attitude. I know what my heritage is and who my ancestors were but you want to know what I consider myself? I AM AN AMERICAN! I was born and raised in this country and that's how I feel it should be. Born here, raised here.....then by God you are an American. Not an African American, not an Asian American etc. etc. You are an AMERICAN!
  • Posted By: Chris: To Ex-Officer: I agree with you 100% about the pay of police dept and the drug testing. I was formerly involved with the BCPD and had multiple ride alongs with the BCSO. I am probably one of their biggest critics due to having watch some of the bad side of the department for a long time. I wish that I could tell everything that I have seen officers do,which would put most of them behind bars or they'll lose their sheild, But retalliation is bad in our area. To the cops that do their job and do it with the best intentions, I proud of you and don't mean any disrespect. To the ones who I personally watch being more currupt then the "badguys" here,your day will be coming.
  • Posted By: Pablo: Teachers aren't the only ones underpaid. Law enforcement officers are underpaid also. And I'd like to speak about them. For example, I'm sure any parent would sacrifice their live for thier children. And several may give thier live to save their spouse. A few individuals may even do it for a close friend. But, I only know of 3 types of beings who will sacrifice thier lives for complete strangers; indeed even for people who hate them. The first would be our men and women in our armed forces. The second would be our law enforcement officers. And of course, third would be our Savior, Jesus Christ. Others are killed in the line of their employment, but not in order to save a complete stranger. Everytime a cop puts on his/her uniform, they can be a target for anyone upset about something. Even though it doesn't involve the cop personally, that very cop will give his life to save yours when a problem arises. We need to give our cops not only a wage, but a living wage and a great big THANKS.
  • Posted By: Craig: If what I am hearing is correct that Kanawha County teachers accepted a pay raise in return for submitting to drug testing, and then sued successfully so they do not have to be subject to testing, then why shouldn't we the taxpayers demand they return the raise?
  • Posted By: teresa: racist lmao i am one cherokee,german,irish,german,and who knows what else TIRED of hearing of racist comments u are either GOOD OR BAD k no skin color needed just evil or NOT
  • Posted By: Ex-Officer: I agree with Robert 100% I worked in law enforcement and loved the job but try to rise a family on less than 10.00 an hour (out of that pay for your own duty gear and gun). I believe that all public safety workers should be drug tested but i also believe that they should be paid for the job that they do. Not many people understand what a public safty worker goes through. Would you put your life on the line for this kind of pay? Remember the saying that you get what you pay for. I see this in several new officers in my area. Don't get me wrong there are still very good officers in law enforcement. Something really needs to be done about the low pay for these jobs.
  • Posted By: Garland: What's the difference between teachers and other workers(coal mineers, bus drivers, state employees,etc.)? Teachers aren't any better are they?
  • Posted By: : This is not a comment, but I would like comments on it please. What do you think of Poca High School? Racist or not?
  • Posted By: Robert: We the people, through our own self centeredness and apathy, have allowed our teachers and police officials to be some of the most underpaid people in the United States. We are trusting our childrens education and our public safety to the very people that are some of the most underpaid profesions in the U.S.. If I could change this, I would. However, I do believe that these people should be randomly drug tested. I work in the construction industry and I have no problem being drug tested. I have nothing to hide. I also believe that any person who is intrusted with the safety of others should have nothing to hide. This includes plitical officials up to and including the president.
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