19-year-old’s body found in Tennessee lake was sister of ‘American Idol’ singer
An “American Idol” contestant shared his grief online when announcing he lost his sister in a drowning incident in Tennessee.
Drake McCain Taylor, who almost broke into the “American Idol” top 24 in 2021, asked his community to pray for his family on Facebook.
“My beautiful baby sister,” Taylor wrote of Madison Taylor’s death. “Bubba misses you so much my heart can’t take it.”
On Monday, May 30, Madison, 19, was on a boat at Watts Bar Lake when she jumped into the water and didn’t resurface, WBIR reported.
Multiple agencies began searching for Taylor around 6:30 p.m., WBIR reported.
Responders were searching in 40 to 50 feet of water above a dam and a point of interest was identified with sonar, WATE reported.
Authorities recovered Taylor’s body after midnight on May 31, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency told WTVC.
McClatchy News reached out for comment from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and did not receive an immediate response.
Other agencies involved in the search included Rhea County Sheriff’s Office, Rhea County Rescue, Meigs County Rescue, Bradley County Dive Team, and Hamilton County Dive Team, according to WBIR.
Watts Bar Lake is about 57 miles southwest of Knoxville.
This story was originally published May 31, 2022 at 3:45 PM with the headline "19-year-old’s body found in Tennessee lake was sister of ‘American Idol’ singer."
