On 9/12/23, fruitport township officers were dispatched to check the spring lake waterways in an attempt to locate a boat driven by victim who had been gone since the morning of about 05:30-06:30 hours.  Efforts to attempt to locate the vessel were unsuccessful.  On 9/12/23 at 2020 hours, officers were dispatched to check the lakeshore for a missing male who had not been heard from since early morning.  Area marinas and yacht club were searched.  

On 9/14/2023 at 1040 hours, a dive team was dispatched to begin sonar operations for the subject who was missing.  On 9/15/23 michigan state police assembled their own team to assist with sonar operations.  

It is believed that when the boat changed course abruptly on 9/12/23 at 08:21 hours, the victim had left the vessel.  On 9/15/23 while conducting the search, a sonar target that looked promising was seen by ottawa county sheriff's office dive team on their marine sonic side scan sonar.  

It was determined that this target was likely to be the body of victim.  Michigan state police divers entered the water on the gps coordinates of the target and located the body of victim underwater.  A rope was tied to his waist and the body was pulled up from underwater and brought onto the ottawa county sheriff's office marine boat.  The body of victim was then transported back to the grand haven coast guard station for death investigation.

No signs of trauma or any other concerns were noted on the body.  The medical examiner advised that the autopsy showed that there was no medical explanation for the death at this time and it was believed that the death of victim was an accident and the cause of death was likely drowning.

SPRING LAKE
FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP            