Missing Bella Vista man found dead in Beaver Lake
Edward Holmes, a 50-year-old Bella Vista man reported missing Thursday, was found dead just before 8 a.m. Saturday near a private boat dock about 6 to 8 feet from the shoreline in Beaver Lake, near Arkansas Highway 12, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
Holmes’ body will be sent to the state Crime Lab, according to Sgt. Shannon Jenkins of the sheriff’s office. The death is still under investigation, she said, but foul play is not suspected.
“We do not expect foul play,” she said, “but that is what the investigation is for — to rule out anything and everything.”
“We are all devastated and stunned,” said Holmes’ stepson, Jesse Lane.
“Our family is grateful for the prayers of so many people.”
Two people found Holmes’ body Saturday while kayaking and called 911. They were not part of the search that began Friday, said Jenkins.
“The body was located in an obstructed area where boats and sonar could not reach,” she said.
Jenkins said the dock is not far from where Holmes’ truck was found Friday, which was across the street from the Lakeside Baptist Church on Arkansas Highway 12.
Lane said the family has been finding comfort in Scripture “and will be reading and meditating on God’s word to help us get through this difficult season.”
Many friends and family have expressed their sadness and shock through social media.
“He was deeply loved and respected by his family, friends, fellow church members, co-workers and patients. He was a generous, loving man with a servant’s heart,” stepdaughter Amber Terrones said in a text message.
“He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
Holmes worked as a physical therapist.
He was reported missing by his family at 6:20 p.m. Thursday, according to Mike Kugler, the professional standards officer for the Bella Vista Police Department.
The last time anybody had seen Holmes in Bella Vista was Thursday morning before he went to work, Kugler said.
The Bella Vista Police Department began the search for Holmes on Thursday night and the Sheriff’s Office joined on Friday, beginning a ground, lake and aerial search that lasted into the night. Holmes’ family members and friends also joined the search.
Lane started a Facebook group, now called Remembering Ed Holmes, at around 11:30 a.m. Friday to help coordinate the search.
Lane’s wife, Stephanie Lane, organized a headquarters at Lakeside Baptist Church, assigning locations to volunteers and marking off areas that had been searched.
“Ed was a remarkable man,” Jesse Lane said in a text message. “He loved to help and serve his family and our community. He was a follower of Jesus, avid runner and an energetic and joyful ‘Papa Ed’ to 11 grandkids.”
Details about the service and burial will be announced later this week, Terrones said via Facebook.
“Ed was a remarkable man. He loved to help and serve his family and our community. He was a follower of Jesus, avid runner and an energetic and joyful ‘Papa Ed’ to 11 grandkids.”
Stepson Jesse Lane