Jackson County Sheriff identifies bodies found as missing fishermen

Jackson County sheriff's deputies positively identified the remains of two men found Thursday as the fishermen reported missing Wednesday night, Sheriff Mike Ezell said.

Screano Hilton and Butch Moran were reported missing about 9:30 p.m. when they didn't return from fishing. The two had left early Wednesday from San Juan Marina off Bass Road in Vancleave. Officials searched all night.

Thursday morning, their fishing skiff was found in the marsh north of the Interstate 10 bridge and Hickory Hill, but the men were not with the boat.

Ezell said one was found nearby the other a short distance away.

The coroner said one of the men was from Biloxi and the other from Ocean Springs.

The sheriff said they are speculating that the boat hit something under the water and the men were thrown overboard. Neither was wearing a life vest.

In addition to Jackson County Sheriff's Department, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife & Fisheries took part in the search.

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 2:37 PM with the headline "Jackson County Sheriff identifies bodies found as missing fishermen ."