Eric Spud Tindell, 41, died on the evening of Friday, December 29, 2023, from a fatal gunshot wound while hunting on Forestry Service Road 516 in Smith County, Mississippi. Emergency services responded to a 911 call around 5:30 PM; first responders found Tindell fatally injured and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, assisted by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating.

Tindell, born February 23, 1982, in Jackson, Mississippi, was a husband and father. He had been married 22 years to Amanda Tindell and was the father of Anna and Austin. Described as someone who loved the outdoors and hunting, he shared that passion with family members including his father. Funeral services were held in early January 2024 to honor him.

The incident is being treated as a hunting accident and authorities have released no information about suspects or arrests; anyone with information about what happened that evening is asked to come forward.