At approximately 8:54am Witness 1 and 2 were sitting in their vehicle eating breakfast at the Lake Elmo State Park parking lot. Witness 1 and 2 both witnessed the victim paddling in circles in a small inflatable raft. Although going in circles it appeared as though the victim was heading further out, away from shore. The Victim was only observed with one paddle on board the raft. Witness 1 claimed that the raft appeared to be half inflated. Witness 1 and 2 then observed the victim either jump, or fall out of the raft and attempt to swim to shore. The victim got part way to shore and then went under water. The victim resurfaced briefly and then went under water again and never resurfaced. Witness 1 and 2 then yelled to nearby swimmers, Witness 3 and 4, to try to help the victim. Witness 1 and 2 then called 911 for assistance. Witness 1 and 2 then observed a hat and a pair of shoes floating on the waters surface. The swimmers searched the area but were unable to locate the victim. At approximately 8:55 officer was dispatched to Lake Elmo. Officer spoke with witnesses and then scanned the bank for any sign of the victim. A small inflatable raft drifted to shore and was recovered by officer. The raft appeared to have vomit on it, the victim shoes and hat also drifted to shore and were recovered. At approximately 14:30 a dive team recovered the victims body from the lake. At 14:31 officer was advised that the victims body had been recovered, and officer returned to the scene to identify the victim. Using the victims DL photo officer identifed the man as the victim. Deputy from Yellowstone County Sherriffs Office arrived to conduct the Coroner''s Investigation. Deputy did not see any signs which led him to believe that there was any foul play. Deputy and Officer observed discharge on the victims shirt that matched the discharge on the raft.
Billings