The Maryland Natural Resources Police is investigating the death of a 52-year-old man from Chaptico who died while on a weekend fishing trip with a friend.
Tyrone Pettiford, a retired Prince George’s County Police Offcer and a friend were fishing in the Wicomico River near Mill Point Aug. 8, when their boat ran aground approximately 50 yards from the shore.
Pettiford was last seen around 2 a.m., swimming towards the shore. His friend saw him disappear under the water not far from the boat and called 911. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Charles County dive team assisted the NRP with the search and recovery of Pettiford’s body shortly before 6 a.m.
No foul play is suspected, but the cause of the accident remains under investigation by the NRP. Pettiford’s body has been sent to the medical examiner’s office for an autopsy.