Body of missing man found by area fishermen

The body of a fisherman reported missing on March 3 was found this weekend by an area fisherman.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office said that on Sunday afternoon, a fisherman traveling in local waters located the body, which authorities then confirmed as Ronald Blanchard, 74, who had been reported missing after taking the family’s boat on a weekend trip, then never returning.

An autopsy conducted on Monday morning showed that Blanchard died of natural causes.

LPSO said in its release that it wanted to thank the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for its help. For a week, LPSO and LDWF searched for the body without success. Daily patrols continued after that, and boaters were told to be on the lookout for the local man.