A man was found deceased in a pond in Rockingham County following a search on Sunday. According to the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to 8054 US 29 Bus in Reidsville in reference to a missing person.
34-year-old Phillip Daniel Skelley had reportedly gone missing while searching for his dog in the surrounding area. The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office performed a K9 track from Skelley’s residence which led to an iced over pond located off of Burton Rd.
Deputies observed two holes in the ice, one larger and one smaller toward the middle of the pond. Rockingham County Sheriff’s Deputies and Investigators, and members of the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office dive team, along with several local fire department and rescue squad personnel and Rockingham County EMS responded to the scene.
Skelley was located in the pond, deceased. Investigators believe that Skelley’s dog may have been on the ice when it gave way and Skelley attempted to go after the dog to rescue it, but the ice gave way under him as well.
At this time, there are no signs of foul play and Skelley’s death appears to have been an accident.