RedactedNarrative: On 07/06/20, I (CPO) received a message at 5:22 pm via Illinois State Police dispatch in reference to a drowning at Rend Lake.  
  
  I called Corps of Engineers Ranger to get more information.  She said a male subject jumped from the back of a moving boat just north of the Rend Lake Marina.  The subject went under the water and did not re-surface.  I drove to Benton, IL to retrieve a boat and proceeded to the area.  The rescue effort was unsuccessful as darkness fell.  The search would continue the following day.  I returned to shore at the Rend Lake Marina and spoke with Franklin County Sherriff''s Deputy.  He was the investigative officer for the county and relayed information to me about what occurred.  
  
  The family departed South Sandusky Beach by boat and travelled southeast toward their destination at Rend Lake Marina.  The boat''s operator and father of the victim noticed the swim ladder was down on the boat while on plane.  Girlfriend of the victim attempted to pull the ladder up but was not familiar with the mechanics of the ladder.  
  
  Victim went to the back of the boat to assist Girlfriend.  Victim then walked to the front of the boat.  Victim then ran toward the back of the boat and jumped into the lake. The boat was travelling approximately 15 miles per hour and Operator eased off the throttle at the time Victim jumped.  
  
  Girlfriend stated that Victim re-surfaced and vomiting.  Girlfriend stated Victim was struggling to swim as Operator turned the boat around to pick Victim up.  Girlfriend stated she jumped into the water to help Victim but he panicked and pulled her under the water while struggling. Girlfriend stated she tried multiple times to help Victim but could not assist him in his panicked state.  Victim went under the water and never came back to the surface.  
  
  Operator said Victim had brought 9 beers and a 1/5th of Fireball Whiskey on the boat trip.  The whiskey bottle was empty after departing South Sandusky Beach.  Operator said Victim was intoxicated and they were having difficulty controlling his behavior prior to the accident.  I inspected the boat and discovered all required safety equipment aboard.  Life jackets were not used in the incident.  The next day, 07/07/20, side scan sonar was used to find the body of Victim in 11 feet of water.  A diver from Rend Lake Search and Rescue brought Victim''s body to the surface at 12:57 pm.  An autopsy was scheduled for 07/08/20 and results will be later included within this report.  End of narrative.
  