Local Bessemer Assistant District Attorney body found in Logan Martin Lake after fatal boat fall

Samuel Perkins

Lead Reporter

Willam R. North was a highly respected veteran atteorney who served in the Bessemer district atteroneys office for over 30 years. He worked spefically in the cutoff division of the Bessemer circut court dealing primarily with felony perocusctions, and various civil cases for the West Jefferson County area.

On Sunday Afternoon, North was acting as a spotter for a sailboat race near the Pell City Sail Club. He attempted to step from a sailbot to an un-occupied jon boat. He lost his footing, fell into the water, and went below the surface of the water witout re-appering

This led to the start of a multi-agency search for North. Agencies inclueded the Alabama Law Enforcemnt Agency Marine and Avaition potrol units, as well as rescue squads from Pell City, Lincoln, Childersburg, and Munford. They searched the souther portion of the lake in St. Clair County overnight and into the next morning. His body was found 11:12 AM nearby the area when he fell in.

The ALEA and other agencies are still looking into the matter to find the exact cause of the accident. This post will be updated if and when more details emerge.