On September 13, 2023, I, Conservation Officer, and Conservation Officer Sgt. responded to a drowning in a farm pond on private property. Upon arrival I observed Green County Rescue Team retrieving the body from the water. There were no available witnesses to the incident. In the water near the body, I observed an overturned flat bottom aluminum Jon boat. Around the bank of the pond, I located a trot line tied across the pond along with a bucket of live bait as well as an empty beer can. 

According to witness statements, Subject1 had spoken to Victim at about 0930-1000 hours this date. Victim had asked her to purchase some groceries and nightcrawlers for him. Subject1 stated she had returned to Victim's residence with the items at around 1430-1500 hours but was unable to locate Victim at that time, so she returned to her residence. She stated she and subject2 returned just after dark to try to locate Victim because they did not see any lights on inside his residence. She stated they began to look for Victim and located him in the pond at approximately 2000 hours and immediately contacted 911. According to his family who were on scene, Victim was a heavy drinker, had health issues and was unable to swim. 

Photos were taken of the scene. These photos show that the boat was overturned and about 5 feet from the pond bank. The body of Victim can be observed floating face down in the water at the edge of the boat on the opposite side of the boat from the pond bank. Photos were also taken of Victim when he had been removed from the water. There were no obvious signs of trauma or injury to the body. Photos were taken of the body and will be submitted with this report. 

Upon speaking with Witness 1, he stated Victim had asked his wife, Subject1, to pick him up some groceries at about 0930-1000 on September 13, 2023. He stated she went back to his residence at about 1600 hours to deliver the groceries but did not find anyone. He stated he arrived at his residence at about 1700 hours and began to look for Victim. He stated he attempted to call his phone but did not get an answer. He stated at about 2000 hours he located Victim's car. He stated at about 2030 hours he located Victim's body floating in the pond. He stated Victim was floating face down in the water about 5-6 feet from the bank. 

Neither knew what time Victim had gone to the pond. They both stated Victim was a heavy alcohol user and had many existing health issues. 

On Thursday, September 14, 2023, I returned to the scene to further document the scene. Upon observing the boat, it was a 10' long, 36" wide aluminum flat bottom Jon boat. The boat was an older boat with very little information on it. There was a metal tag affixed to the stern that provided a Serial Number.There was no other information (Make, Model, Year of Manufacture, etc.) available from the metal tag.  There was also a sticker attached to the outside of the stern that appeared to be a registration sticker from Ohio for the year 1970, however there was no other information on the sticker (HIN, Registration Number, etc.) I took photos of the boat to be submitted with this report. 

Autopsy and toxicology reports are pending at the time of this report.
PRIVATE PROPERTY FARM POND 245
GREENSBURG                    