GILA COUNTY, AZ — An Air Force sergeant missing on Roosevelt Lake since Wednesday has been found dead.
The Gila County Sheriff's Office says Kory Wade was found Saturday after a multi-day search and rescue operation.
"We are saddened to confirm the death of Staff Sgt. Kory Wade, whose body was located following an exhaustive search at Roosevelt Lake," said Col. Scott Mills, 355th Wing commander. "Sergeant Wade was a model Airman and consummate professional while assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron and he will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with Sergeant Wade's family, friends and teammates during this difficult time."
Wade was reported missing Wednesday afternoon while conducting training in preparation for supporting jump operations.
Officials told ABC15 in August that he is believed to have drowned following a heart attack.
Wade’s friends, who were stationed with him in Guam a few years back, told ABC15 he was a competitive, athletic and funny person.
Annabell Williams, who lived on the base in Guam, played softball with him on a team. She and Anthony Berry put a team together of those who served and civilians.
“When they see his name, or just hear about him, I just want them to know that he was a really great person and he was fun to be around, and athletically, he was such a great teammate,” Williams said of Wade.
Berry tells ABC15 he saw Wade often after their duties on base. Though they were both stationed in Guam, they had different jobs.
Even after the two left Guam and moved back to the States, Berry and Wade kept in touch often. Berry went to Wyoming, where Wade went to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson.
“We still stayed tight the entire time. When needed somebody to talk to off the grid, he would talk to me and then same for me to him,” Berry said. “It just hit hard that I now, I don't have him to talk to anymore.”
Both Berry and Williams said they were supposed to see Wade next weekend in a softball tournament. After the news of his death, they’ll still hold the tournament but will also honor him.
