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Birthday Celebration Turns Tragic on Lake
shoreline
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District announces that it will raise fees for certain shoreline activities including at Center Hill Lake beginning March 1, 2021. This dock on Old Hickory Lake is representative of the type of shoreline facilities affected by the fee increases. (USACE Photo by Chase Wilson)

A weekend birthday celebration turned tragic after a Spring Hill man was killed while attempting to jump into Center Hill Lake from a rock bluff.

According to DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray, on Saturday, May 22, 36-year-old Stephen Kyle Anderson was with his wife and two other couples on Center Hill Lake, celebrating Anderson’s birthday, which was on May 21. While in the area of Holmes Creek, Anderson decided to climb a rock bluff in order to jump off into the lake. While attempting to climb the bluff, the rocks Anderson was holding onto gave way and Anderson fell and rolled down the bluff, hitting several rocks along the way before falling into the water.

Officials say a 911 call was received at 2:36 P.M., and with Anderson’s body missing the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency was notified. An aquatic robot device from Chattanooga was brought to the area, and through the device officers were able to locate the victim at a depth of approximately 165 feet. Anderson’s body was recovered and an autopsy has been ordered by the medical examiner.

Members of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department were assisted by multiple officers from the TWRA, members of the Smithville/DeKalb County Rescue Squad, and Rangers from the US Corps of Engineers.