LANSING, Mich. — Law enforcement recovered the body of an 84-year-old man from Sylvan Lake on Friday night, making it the 11th drowning in Oakland County lakes this year, according to officials.
Sheriff Michael Bouchard expressed sorrow over the incident, saying, “This summer has already been extremely tragic. We urge everyone to use flotation devices if they are not strong swimmers or if they are alone in the water.”
The man was last seen taking his 18-foot Blastron boat onto the lake around 2:30 p.m. Other boaters noticed his unoccupied boat drifting at about 5:15 p.m. and called for help.
Deputies arrived to find the man’s personal belongings, including his phone, wallet, and car keys, still in the boat. Divers searched the lake and recovered his body around 10 p.m., about 200 feet from shore in five feet of water.
The preliminary cause of death is believed to be drowning, and officials noted that the man was not wearing a life jacket. There is no evidence of alcohol or drug use.