Finding A Body In Bud Lake

Reader Barry Williams submitted this story about finding a body on a fishing trip after reading our story on human dangers in the woods.

Several years ago, I had access to Bud Lake, a body of water adjacent to a golf course in central San Antonio, TX. I only knew of one way into the area and that was through an overgrown and rocky trail. My trusty 4×4 Chevy Blazer was up to the task. Given the number of campsites, the area was a popular venue for late-night visitors.

Once I arrived at the water’s edge the adventure began in a normal, relaxing fashion. After pulling on my waders and kick fins, I slipped into my fishing tube complete with a seat and backrest and entered the water. I landed a couple of nice bass heading to a stump-lined area of the lake. I kept bouncing a plastic worm off what I thought was a stump. As I got closer, I realized it was not a stump but the shoulder of a person not moving. Looking into the water I saw a young man that had apparently drowned sometime prior to my arrival. I was looking at a body.

I returned to shore, left my tube, gear, and fish on a stringer, and drove to a corner store located nearby to call and report what I had discovered.

I was still in my waders when I entered the store and asked to use the phone,

I probably looked like I had just landed from Mars, something like The Creature From The Black Lagoon. The lady at the cash register said I could not use the phone and I needed to go outside to a payphone.

I informed her that I had found a dead person and needed to report it. She immediately said, “Oh, yes, use the phone.” I called the police to explain my find. I emphasized that the person was deceased. I was told to stay put and wait for an ambulance. Within minutes I heard all manner of sirens, one of which was an ambulance that pulled up to where I was standing. I told the EMT my story and that his ambulance was not going to get there. I offered him a ride and he said okay. He secured his ambulance and came back with an oversized first aid kit. I suggested he did not need it but he said “where I go it goes.” We got back to my spot at the lake and I pointed out the man’s shoulder that was visible from where we were standing.

He commented, “Wow, catch of the day.”

At about the same time on a plateau overlooking the lake (which I had never noticed) a number of emergency vehicles were gathering to include another ambulance, a fire truck, and several squad cars.

The EMT said he would walk back to his ambulance, so I paddled over to give a statement. One of the firemen was trying to retrieve the deceased and pull him to shore but his apparatus kept falling short. He saw me in my waders and asked if I could help. I was able to get close enough to secure the individual and let the recovery process begin. I then paddled back to shore to gather up my belongings. I did so and looked at my bass on the stringer. . . I commented “this is your lucky day” and released them.

I returned a few days later only to discover access had been blocked off by boulders after the body was found there. That was my last fishing trip to Bud Lake.

Barry Williams