Body found by Branson police believed to be third drowning victim

Branson authorities found a body in Bull Shoals Lake on Saturday that they believe to be the third drowning victim of a flash flooding incident last week.

Branson Police Chief Stan Dobbins said in a news release that the body of a woman was spotted by a fisherman in the lake and was pulled out of the water by members of the Western Taney County Fire Protection District's water rescue team.

Though the Taney County Coroner's office was still working to identify the body, authorities presume the deceased to be Whitney McDonald, 31, who was driving four other people in a vehicle that succumbed to flash flooding near Fall Creek. 

Branson officials announced last week that the bodies of Antonio Finley, 37, and Kaliea Munn, 17, both of Nashville, Arkansas, were found and determined to have been two of the people riding with McDonald in an SUV when it encountered rapidly rising water May 27.

"We are hopeful that the Taney County Coronor will be able to match the identity of the body found (Saturday) to that of Ms. Whitney McDonald," Dobbins said in a statement. "Until such time, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families and friends of the victims as we continue working to help bring closure for Whitney's family as well."

McDonald, Finley and Munn were in Branson for a basketball tournament that coincided with a church retreat, according to previous News-Leader reporting. Two other occupants of the SUV escaped to safety. 

"I cannot imagine the pain and sorrow the families have been experiencing over the loss of their loved ones while visiting Branson," Dobbins said.