RedactedNarrative: Victim was reported as overdue from fishing. He was supposed to return at 1600 hours and the sheriff's office received the call at 2021 hours. The deputy talked with the victim's wife and brother and both agreed that it was probably a motor issue and he would find a place to camp for the night and be home in the morning. Authorities spoke with the family the next morning. The victim was not home yet and they were getting concerned because he had not called, like he usually does if he's going to be late. A search was started. The victim's watercraft was located submerged near shore, with the plug removed. The motor was found in forward gear. The victim was found several hundred yards away, in 18 feet of water, deceased. The victim was not wearing a life jacket, it was located in the front of the boat. Alcohol was not a factor. There was no damage to the boat.
  
  ​
  
  The deputy who investigated the incident believes, based on talking with the family and evidence during his investigation, that this was purely an accident. The victim was known to remove everything from his boat for portages and then reassemble on the other side. He is known to take the plug out when crossing portages. The location of gear is consistant with putting everthing back in the front of the boat for balance as he would then sit in back and operate the boat. Family stated the victim would always wear his life jacket and as it was not worn, and the plug was out of the boat, they feel he was loading and saw water coming in the boat, jumped in and took off to empty water by driving the boat. The motor was slightly loose so it's possible he was tightening the motor when he observed water coming in the boat. The deputy believes that either the motor jumped from being loose, or when the victim accelerated, he lost his balance and fell out of the boat, not wearing his life jacket.