RedactedNarrative: Operator was operating a sailboat on Lake Champlain with her passenger. Occupant is the owner of the sailboat however suffers from a physical and cognitive handicap limiting his mobile abilities. On 09/17/21, Occupant was located sailing in circles near Cedar Island. A boater made contact with Occupant and boarded his vessel to assist controlling the boat. Occupant communicated that his life partner Operator had fallen off the boat the previous evening and was presumed to have drowned. 
  
  Investigation showed that witnesses heard Operator calling for help at approximately 9:30PM on 09/16. They approached Occupant circling in the area on his vessel and communicated with him. Due to the communication barrier with Occupant, the witnesses left the area without further assisting or calling authorities for help. 
  
  Emergency responders who responded to the call for help on 09/17 spoke with Occupant and learned that Operator was working on the anchor when she fell overboard. Operator was unable to get back to the boat and Occupant was unable to maneuver the boat to assist her. Operator called for help for a period of time before drowning in the area. First responders responding to the area on the morning of 09/17 located Operator's body floating nearby.