Body of Missing Slidell Man Located in Lake

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has recovered the body of a missing Slidell man, 74 year-old Rufus Johnson.

At approximately 2 p.m. Tuesday (April 25, 2023) a family member contacted the STPSO to report Johnson missing. Investigators learned Johnson had told the family member at approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday morning that his vehicle would be left on the I-10 Twin Spans. They also learned the vehicle had been located and removed from the bridge Tuesday afternoon.

Members of the STPSO Marine Division searched Lake Pontchartrain until late Tuesday night with no success. They resumed their search at daybreak Wednesday (April 26, 2023) and at approximately 9 a.m., a boater called to report he had located a body in the lake near the Twin Spans. 

The body has been turned over to the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office, who will determine a cause and manner of death. Foul play is not suspected at this time.