Body Found In Bayou Chico Is Former Atmore Resident

March 30, 2011

A body found in Bayou Chico Tuesday night has been identified as John Hawkins, an Atmore native who jumped from a sailboat Monday night.

Thomas Hawkins IV, 35, is a resident of Orange Beach, but family members say his is originally from Atmore. Pensacola Police said an autopsy will be done to determine cause of death.

A man called 911 around 7:15 Tuesday night after finding Hawkins in Bayou Chico, said Sgt. Stephen Davis.

Pensacola Police were initially dispatched to the Pensacola Shipyard area, 700 S. Myrick St., around 7:25 p.m. Monday after receiving a call that Hawkins had jumped into the water and could not be found.

Hawkins and his wife Angela, also 35, had been staying on a friend’s docked sailboat. Angela Hawkins told police she and her husband had been swimming all day and that her husband had been drinking. She said she was near the rear of the boat when she heard her husband, who is a good swimmer, jump from the front.

After about 10 to 15 minutes, Angela Hawkins said she began looking for her husband but couldn’t find him. At that point, she notified a security guard and when they still could not locate him, police were called.

Comments

21 Responses to “Body Found In Bayou Chico Is Former Atmore Resident”

  1. My Friend on March 31st, 2011 10:12 am

    I will miss you my friend. There is now an empty place in my soul. I feel as if a part of me has died. The last thing you said to me was enjoy life brother. I never thought that would be so hard without you in it. You have definately left your mark on this Earth and you shall never be forgotten.

  2. no name on March 30th, 2011 5:22 pm

    God Bless his Family and friends. prays are with you.

  3. Chad and Alison Fournier on March 30th, 2011 1:42 pm

    Thoughts and prayers with Angie, the kids, and all of John’s family through this sad time. There are no words to express how sorry we are for your loss.

  4. FeKeshia Boykin-Williams on March 30th, 2011 1:08 pm

    On behalf of the Escambia County High School Class of 1994, I would like to extend words of sympathy to the family of John Hawkins. We share your sadness and pray that you find strength in your faith, comfort in God’s love,
    and peace in knowing your friends are praying for you. John is gone from our signt, but never our memories.

  5. tragedy on March 30th, 2011 9:14 am

    such a tragedy! prayers going out to the family! may god be with you! :(

  6. Jamie McKinley on March 30th, 2011 6:05 am

    I grew up with with John and knew his family. Such a tragedy at our young age. My family will pray for Angie and their children. May they find peace during this time…RIP John Hawkins!

  7. blessd on March 30th, 2011 6:04 am

    to the famil,y my boyfriend n i both went to school with john n know how loved n how lovn he was. my heart breaks for all of u especiallly the children, no child should have to loose their dad at such a young age.blessings to each of u, may the lord heal ur hearts

  8. Steve Ragan on March 30th, 2011 1:16 am

    I hate it. John and I played baseball together. He was also a good friend of mine. One thing I remember about him is that John Hawkins was a full grown man by the age of 15! He and I always got along well and I’m heart broken. He was a great baseball player and I still remember his nasty curve ball when he was pitching. My condolences go out to his family. I’ll never forget you John. You’ll always be in my memories and heart, buddy.

    Words cannot express my sorrow.

  9. wow on March 30th, 2011 12:59 am

    I hate that this has happened to the Hawkins family! It is a horrible tragedy but a tragedy that could have been avoided! I am glad that an answer came quickly for the family, although it was the answer no one wanted. Bayou Chico is not the safest place to swim or let kids swim either!

  10. KATE WEST on March 29th, 2011 10:47 pm

    ANGIE, YOUR PRECIOUS KIDS AND THE HAWKINS FAMILY- JOHN HAS BEEN A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE FOR MANY YEARS AND TOUCHED MY HEART AND MANY OTHERS IN SO MANY WAYS. OUR PRAYERS,LOVE AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU. MY HEART HURTS SO MUCH AS I HAVE TO SAY GOODBYE TO ONE FRIEND THAT LOVED ME REGARDLESS. YET WE WILL SEE HIS SMILING FACE AGAIN! LOVE TO ALL OF YOU

  11. Tammie Dortch on March 29th, 2011 10:28 pm

    Angie and Cindy, I am so sorry. My prayers are with you both and the children.

  12. t2 on March 29th, 2011 9:06 pm

    thoughts and prayers

  13. Donna Watson Lord on March 29th, 2011 8:49 pm

    My thoughts and prayers are with Cindy and his family…I know that God is watching over him and will bring him back home to his family.

  14. Larry Jackson on March 29th, 2011 8:18 pm

    Dear Angela your thoughts and prayers are with you and John. We will be praying for you and him. Please keep the faith up and dnt give up. I went to school with John and he is one tough rascal.

  15. JennyQ on March 29th, 2011 5:41 pm

    Hope,Love and Faith. Stay optimistic and continue to pray.

  16. jaybee on March 29th, 2011 4:49 pm

    this was their anniversary weekend, they were staying on their friend’s boat, their three beautiful children were with them yesterday, they were just having some well deserved rest and relaxation after the horrific year they’ve endured thanks to the oil spill, John specializes in fiberglass on boats…they had been swimming all day, divers said the water below the boat was 7-9 feet, so it is very possible he could have been injured when he jumped in the water, hopes are very high, please continue to pray for the family, John is a great guy and loved by so many

  17. Vicki Jordan Stanley on March 29th, 2011 3:36 pm

    All my prayers and thoughts are with the entire family. I have known John since he was a toddler and he is a fine family man. God be with all of them as they wait for his safe return.

  18. Lacy on March 29th, 2011 2:50 pm

    I grew up with this guy and he is such a sweet man. Praying for him and Angie and their kids. Please pray for his safe return…

  19. atmore1 on March 29th, 2011 1:59 pm

    I could not even begin to imagine what this man’s family is going through right now. Thoughts and prayers for his safe turn up!

  20. Hummmm.... on March 29th, 2011 1:58 pm

    Hummmmmm…What do you say regarding this particular story? This is a tragedy anyway you look at it. How sad for his family. I hope that Hawkins will be discovered soon, for all involved. I am sure he is loved by his family.

  21. Mike on March 29th, 2011 1:56 pm

    Years ago a friend of mine got caught in an under current and drowned just up from the ship yard on bayou chico that is a bad area, my prayers are with them

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News