Prentiss County man dies after fall into Pickwick Lake

A trip to Pickwick Lake with friends ended in tragedy Monday evening when a Prentiss County man drowned after falling from a cliff into the water.
Published: Sep. 8, 2026 at 7:45 AM EDT

IUKA, Miss. (WTVA) - A trip to Pickwick Lake with friends ended in tragedy Monday evening when a Prentiss County man drowned after falling from a cliff into the water.

According to Tishomingo County Coroner Mack Wilemon, 44-year-old Steven Hopper of the Cairo community was swimming with friends when he fell about 15 feet from a cliff into the lake.

The incident happened around 6:30 near the Steel Bridge Boat Ramp, north of J.P. Coleman State Park.

Witnesses said Hopper did not resurface after entering the water.

His body was recovered about two hours later.