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Couple from West Virginia Missing in South Carolina Save Email Print
Posted: 2:52 AM Jul 2, 2008
Last Updated: 10:42 PM Jul 2, 2008
Reporter: Tim Irr
Email Address: tim.irr@wsaz.com

A | A | A

LAKE MURRAY, S.C. (WSAZ) – A couple with deep West Virginia roots is missing in South Carolina.

Randy Adkins, originally from Hurricane, and his wife Kimberly, originally from Mingo County, went out on their boat this weekend on Lake Murray in South Carolina and then just disappeared. After the boat drifted into shore, the search began for the Adkins.

It seemed at first glance, a picture perfect day at Lake Murray. But then, there was that plane circling the eastern side of the lake. A DNR plane helping in what is now a multi-day search for Randy and Kimberly Adkins. Friends last saw the Lexington couple at Jake's Landing, Saturday evening, around 5.

Lieutenant Robert McCullough with the South Carolina DNR said, “Saturday afternoon at Jakes, when they left the landing, everything seemed to be fine. Everybody was good, good spirits, they were going back out on the lake.”

Their boat is a 19 and a half foot Crown Line. It turned up south of Pine Island. The craft was fully operational and undamaged. Gas and life jackets were on board. But there was no sign of the Adkins.

DNR has a theory and that's all it is right now. They think that the couple would have left the area around Jake's, and headed to the northwest, in the direction of Spence Island. The boat would have been traveling more or less into a headwind, because at the time, the wind was coming out of the west.

McCullough said, “We think that they at least made Spence’s Island out there, maybe a little past it.”

Again, Tuesday, that strong westerly wind whipped up whitecaps near Spence Plantation. DNR says if the boat got to a certain part of the lake, the wind could have pushed it to the east to Pine Island, where it was found two hours after leaving Jake’s.

Complicating the search, the depth of the water near Spence Islands is between 150 and 200 feet in some places.

McCullough said, “If something did happen tragically, and both of them went into the water and didn't come up, yes, there are some spots out there that are very deep and it would be very difficult to try to make a recovery.”

Late Tuesday afternoon, DNR had nothing encouraging to report.

The search will continue Wednesday morning.

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Posted by: WV on Jul 16, 2008 at 08:59 PM
We are so sorry for this tragic ending. Morning,Noon and night prayers are being offered for this family.

Posted by: michelle on Jul 9, 2008 at 11:12 AM
lot's of prayers comming there way from fortwayne...still holding on to hope..

Posted by: lisa on Jul 7, 2008 at 02:16 PM
I knew Kim and Tiny very well since I lived with her father for more than 20 yrs. I pray that they are found safe and also for the family.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 7, 2008 at 06:58 AM
Prayers with the families. I hope they are found safe

Posted by: Vickie on Jul 4, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Know that there are several prayer chains going at this time in Virginia,North Carolina, and South Carolina for all of those involved. I for one am asking God for a miracle.

Posted by: Beth Ann on Jul 4, 2008 at 12:12 PM
I am praying they are found safe and soon. Prayers are also with the family, can not imagine what you must be going through not knowing where they are.

Posted by: Proud Mother of 2 on Jul 4, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Pray for a safe return. The family is in my thoughts and prayers even thought I don't know this family.

Posted by: Andrew on Jul 3, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Tragic, but was this article written by a four year old? wow

Posted by: reader on Jul 2, 2008 at 08:59 AM
May God be with them.

Posted by: putnam co on Jul 2, 2008 at 04:28 AM
Well hopefully by the will of god thay will be found safe we just have to pray.may the lord be with them.

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