City officials wrap up recovery efforts of 2 men on Flint River, investigations and evaluations to continue

ALBANY, Ga. – In the span of 36 hours, Albany first responders have recovered the bodies of 36-year-old Darrious Stephens and 23-year-old Cameron Jones. They met with us late Monday afternoon to talk about the next steps as search and recovery wraps up.

With Stephens falling in the river during severe weather, and Jones reportedly walking into the Flint two weeks later, City Manager, Steven Carter says they’re going to be re-evaluating a few things.

“Any time there’s an incident, we always evaluate what the processes are. At this time, we’re carrying on both investigations and evaluations. At the point where we can conclude those evaluations, whatever comes out of that as far as safety improvements or process improvements, we’ll take them on to make sure employees are safe,” said Steven Carter, Albany City Manager.

“I will say this: we’ll do more educational information because as you know, the other night people were down at the river looking for artifacts. Which, that’s a common thing to do. So, we need to do more education with the community about water safety,” said Chief Michael Persley, Albany Police Department (APD).

With both river searches wrapping up, city leaders are asking the public to keep the family in mind as investigations continue.

“…Definitely want to keep the family in prayers now that they can heal with their loved ones recovered. Because they’ve been up for nights, praying and wondering ‘are they ever going to be found?’ We have now brought some closure, because we have both individuals retrieved, back now, being able to give them to the families so they can start the process of healing,” said Michael Fowler, Dougherty County Coroner.

However, that doesn’t make the last three weeks any easier.

“This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. To deal with the death of one of our city employees, followed by the death of one of our citizens. It takes a toll on you emotionally, it takes a toll on you mentally, but it also takes a toll on you physically as you go through the day-to-day grind as you do the best that you can to try and bring closure to this process,” said Carter.

While efforts on the flint are wrapped up, city leaders say the family is getting closure, first responders and city officials are feeling a mixed sense of emotion as these trying searches end.

Fowler says the autopsy on Darrious Stephens will be conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

Brian Roche reporting.

Copyright 2024 CBS 44 South Georgia. All rights reserved.