UPDATE: Search For Missing Woman “Stalled” On South Holston Lake
Update at 10:55 a.m. by Josh Smith, News Channel 11 Connects:
Nate Morabito, News Channel 11 Connects, reports search crews have halted their search efforts on South Holston Lake. They’re waiting for more resources to assist with the search in the deep waters around the boat dock.
Employees at the United Way of Johnson City are fighting to contain their emotions today while waiting for word on Alice Bachman, director of finances for the Johnson City charity. Lester Lattany, United Way of Johnson City exective director, called Bachman, “my right and left hand.“
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BY CLAIRE GALOFARO
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. – Recovery operations for a woman reported missing at Lake View Dock Marina were suspended about 12:15 a.m. Thursday.
Alice Bachman, 55, of Johnson City has been missing since about 7 p.m. Tuesday. Authorities believe she fell into South Holston Lake while attempting to cover her boat.
Tennessee Valley Authority and Sullivan County rescue teams are co-investigating the incident, TVA spokesman Jim Allen said Thursday. He said an underwater camera and floodlight were brought in from Knox County about 7 p.m. Wednesday. The search was called off about five hours later when that proved unsuccessful.
Recovery operations have been hindered by deep water, about 200 feet, in the search area. Officials scrambled Wednesday to put together a deep-water diving team, but to no avail, Allen said.
On Tuesday, the Kingsport Life Saving Crew brought an underwater camera to the boat slips, and attempted to drag the lake. Those efforts were unsuccessful. Allen said there were divers on the scene Tuesday and Wednesday, although the exact number and specifications were uncertain.
Allen said the search teams would resume dragging operations today.
The Kingsport Lift Saving Crew said Thursday they were not authorized to release any information.
Gerald M. Dworkin, a technical consultant for aquatics safety and water rescue for the New Hampshire-based Lifesaving Resources Inc. said Thursday that at a 200-foot depth, the search area would have a 400-foot radius.
Bachman, an executive assistant and accountant for the United Way of Washington County, Tenn., took her son and his friend out on their boat Tuesday. When they arrived back at the marina, the son and friend left for food. Bachman’s husband, Tom Bachman, told the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office that his wife stayed behind to cover the boat.
Her purse, bags and shoes were on the boat when she was discovered missing.
The marina owner, John Slagle, said that the previous week, Bachman fell into the water while trying to cover the boat.
On Thursday, there was no sign of rescue or recovery vehicles at the dock, and Slagle ordered a Bristol Herald Courier reporter to leave the marina, which is privately owned.
“I’m not going to tell you anything. No one here is going to tell you anything,” Slagle said. “You will not take one step past there onto that dock.
“Learn to have a little respect for family,” he shouted as the reporter walked to the parking lot.
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Reader Reactions
The Johnson City Press had a write up yesterday (July 1)about Mrs. Bachman’s memorial service. For those who have been following the story, it may be a long time before a body is recovered, and the family needs some closure. For any who might who hint that the service was premature (I suppose meaning she’s alive somewhere)... well, that would be cause for joy - we’ll just have another service… of celebration. Let’s not begrudge some peace for the family, as soon as possible.
If they had a memorial service, and you can never tell if this information on this site is correct, then I expect it is because it feels like the right thing to do. We all watch cop shows and come up with crazy theories about abduction, going to Argentina, etc. but in reality, it was probably just an accident and a tragedy.
I continue to be amazed with the BHC, how they rely on others to give them their information and not follow up. They should be working with all law enforcement closely and report facts. This whole chain of reports on this site just seem to be trying to capture eyeballs, there is no new information, compelling interviews, or anything that seems valuable. The one article about how short the divers can stay down…a little interesting, but relevant? I think it is just something to fill the page instead of a big headline every day-“Still No News On Missing Wife and Mother.“
My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to the Bachman family. I am curious, though, how and why was there a funeral/memorial service for Ms. Bachman when there is no body? How can anyone be 100% sure that she is dead? It just seems odd to me to have a memorial service so soon, especially since there is no body.
I wish more people would take the stand that Mr. Slagle has taken. Now that we have learned that the BHC would not help its community and State Police with a criminal investigation with the information it obtains, then no one should allow them to obtain any information.
I am originally from Bristol and went to school with Tom Bauchman. I heard from a friend on Facebook about Tom’s wife. Is there any news? I have checked this website daily but read nothing new. Still praying for a miracle.
I applaud the attempt to keep the reporters at bay. They really are sensationalists. I don’t even see why the investigation was stalled.
Yay for Mr. Slagle trying to protect the family’s privacy. I can just imagine the reporters pushing in to get their story and photos. If it’s like the car wrecks in the area, I’m sure they were waiting for the body to be pulled up so they could get the first shot of the body bag for the TV or newspaper. It sickens me how they invade peoples’ privacy when the basics of the story have already been covered. From what Mr. Slagle said, apparently the family was there and he knew they didn’t need to be hounded - I say, in a time of crisis, we need a Mr. Slagle.
Almost senior citizen? 55? If your speaking of ‘discounts’ maybe but most people that age can still walk and move around and cover a boat on their own. And to keep going back to the same pointless and senseless accusation about her child not being there when she was cover the boat is asinine.
OMG!!! You boat dock/Slagle lovers have her DEAD before they even find a body, someone could have kiddnapped her, she could have just left, stranger things have happened. If Slagle knew she had fallen a week prior and they are so much like FAMILY, then why wasn’t he there helping the almost senior citizen cover her boat? You said he was trying to help the family with “closure”, sort of like counting chickens before they hatch. I hope and pray the woman is found alive and unharmed. I still have hope that she is, unlike “her family” who already has her dead…sheeesh!
Get a clue Sassy1!!! You are obviously not from around here. You need to grab scooby doo and get back on the mystery machine and head back to your neck of the woods. John Slagle and his family run one of the best docks in upper East Tennessee. It is not only a business for him and his family but their customers are like family to them. He is only looking out for the family and the rest of the families that share his community. As a houseboat owner who lives at Lake View Dock for the biggest part of the year, I can tell you up front that the Slagle family is doing everything possible to help bring closure for the Bachman family. People like you are the reason people are not subscribing to the paper anymore; furthermore, comments like you are making are the reason long time employees at BHC are having to take time off without pay!
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