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Miami Herald

Fisherman who vanished harvesting clams found dead weeks later, Maine officials say

The body of a fisherman who went missing in Maine has been found, according to officials. Alton Wallace, 51, of Milbridge was harvesting clams May 18 and never returned, according to a June 21 news release from the Maine Department of Marine Resources. 'Alton was an avid fisherman and was out fishing alone (May 18) when he wasn't heard from, and his small boat was found washed ashore,' a Facebook post from 2A TAC Air OPS Drone Services said. 'Based on information from the family, it is believed that he likely had a medical issue and fell into the water.' Wallace was reported missing and searches involving the U.S. Coast Guard, the Maine Warden Service, the Maine Forest Service, the Underwater Recovery Team, local fishermen and community members were conducted to try to find him, the Department of Marine Resources said. 'These days are living nightmares, simple please bring us closure in having him back,' Sheila Wallace, a family member, said in a Facebook post. The Marine Patrol searched for Alton Wallace by plane near where responders determined his last cell phone ping occurred, Marine Resources said. Around 11 a.m. June 21, a fisherman found Wallace's body, and Marine Patrol officers recovered it from the western shore of Foster Island in Narraguagus Bay, officials said. 'Alton Wallace is the kind of person who would do anything for anyone—always the first to lend a hand and always showing up for those in need,' Ali Wallace said in a Facebook post announcing the Alton Wallace Scholarship. His body was taken to the medical examiner's office for an autopsy.