Body of missing hunter located

Published 9:10 am Wednesday, December 2, 2020

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UPDATE: Searchers have found the body of a missing hunter who did not return from his Tuesday hunting trip.

Missing hunter Terry Jackson Copeland was located in a thicket of trees at approximately 10 a.m., according to a city press release. Next of kin have been notified.

The cause of death is undetermined at this time, and the investigation remains ongoing. No foul play is suspected.

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Suffolk Fire & Rescue and Suffolk Police extended their appreciation for the efforts and assistance of the many other departments and agencies that participated in the search efforts, the press release stated.

Earlier: Suffolk Police and Suffolk Fire & Rescue units are on the scene in the 3600 block of White Marsh Road searching for an elderly hunter that was reported missing after he failed to return home Tuesday evening.

Emergency Communications was contacted at 11:45 p.m. Tuesday evening by a family member who advised that Terry Jackson Copeland, 74, hadn’t returned home from a routine hunting trip on his heavily forested 100-acre property that began at approximately 10 a.m. Tuesday, according to a city press release.

Copeland has several underlying medical conditions.

Multiple Suffolk Police and Suffolk Fire & Rescue Search & Rescue Teams have been searching in the area on foot and in ATVs, the press release stated. There are numerous hunting tree stands on the vast property.

Suffolk Fire & Rescue also contacted Nightingale, and the helicopter responded and conducted an aerial search of the property for approximately an hour earlier this morning.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management has also been contacted and additional crews arrived at approximately 5 a.m. to aid in the search of the missing hunter.

The search remains ongoing at this time.