Police recover body of Ashley Hicks, two days after he disappeared in Beardmore Dam

The 45-year-old man reportedly jumped off the dam wall but was unable to resurface, prompting a police search that came to a tragic end in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

A police search has located Ashley Hicks after he reportedly jumped off the Beardmore Dam wall and did not resurface.

Police have located the body of Ashley Hicks, a St George man who went missing after reportedly jumping off the Beardmore Dam wall at the town on the edge of the Outback.

Authorities were called to the dam about 2pm on Sunday, with police launching an immediate search of the area, which included water police, specialist officers, aerial assets, and partner agencies.

Sadly, Mr Hicks’ body was found in the water within the search area, just before 6am on Tuesday.

News of the discovery led to an outpouring of grief on social media.

“Rest easy brother, I’ll forever cherish our memories of working at Kia Ora irrigating and all the mad times I had with you brother,” Brandon Lang said.

“You sure knew had to put a smile on people faces.”

“My heart goes to your Mum and family,” Kerry Read said.

“You left a great big hole in our lives darling.”

“Rest in paradise mate,” Kim Maller said.

“You were one of a kind Hicksey, it was never a dull moment with you around, sending big hugs to your mum and kids.”

Police divers are helping in the search for Ashley Hicks, a 45-year-old St George man who disappeared at Beardmore Dam on January 12, 2025.

Mr Hicks’ mum, Balonne Shire councillor Robyn Fuhrmeister, thanked everyone who helped with the search.

“Everyone is here doing an amazing job,” she said.

Ms Fuhrmeister said her son was planning to swim in the river near her house yesterday afternoon, but was put off by people riding jet skis, so he went to the dam instead.

“Ashley was swimming all the time, he was one of the best swimmers you’d know,” she said.

“He said, ‘Mum, it’ll be safer for me to the go to dam to have a swim’.”

“Water wise, this is just a terrible accident.”

The Balonne Shire Council issued a statement thanking emergency services personnel for their work.

“Our deepest condolences and thoughts are with Councillor Fuhrmeister and her family in the wake of this devastating news,” the statement said.

“We would like to thank emergency services staff, volunteers, community members and local businesses involved in supporting the QPS operation.”

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said a report would be prepared for the coroner.

Originally published as Police recover body of Ashley Hicks, two days after he disappeared in Beardmore Dam