Both Bodies Recovered in Potomac River Search

The bodies of both missing boaters have been recovered Thursday, according to the Maryland Natural Resources Police. The two didn’t return to a Stafford yacht club Wednesday night and their boat was found empty and anchored in the Potomac River.

The body of Charles Zintner, 58, was found Thursday morning a little more than half a mile from the boat, according to the Maryland Natural Resources Police. The body of Melissa Smarr, 55, was located Thursday afternoon.

The Coast Guard received a call from the Stafford County Sherriff’s office at approximately 11 p.m. Wednesday after the Landmark Yacht Club reported the couple had not returned from the waters.

A search began with a boat crew from Coast Guard Station Washington and a crew aboard a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., along with personnel from the Maryland State Police, Stafford County Sherriff’s Department, Charles County Sherriff’s Department and Maryland Natural Resources Police.

A Maryland State Police helicopter located the couple’s 19-foot boat anchored in the Potomac River approximately one mile from the yacht club, but no one was aboard, according to a Coast Guard release.

The Coast Guard is asking for anyone with information on the boater’s whereabouts to please contact the Sector Baltimore Command Center at 410-576-2525.

Photos: MDNRP on Twitter, U.S. Coast Guard