(PORTER BEACH) – Indiana Conservation Officers have recovered the body of Jacob Sandy, age 23, of South Bend. At approximately 7:15 a.m. this morning, an employee of Indiana Dunes State Park observed Jacob’s body on the shoreline near where he was last seen on Saturday, May 18th.
Indiana Conservation Officers and the Porter County Coroner’s Office were contacted for further investigation. The official cause of death is pending but is believed to be an accidental drowning. The media is asked to respect the privacy of Jacob’s family at this time.
Jacob was last seen kayaking near Porter Beach on May 18th just before a strong storm moved into the area. His kayak was located in New Buffalo, Michigan on May 21st.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the many members of the community who supported the search effort either through providing information to law enforcement or offering other assistance.
Indiana Conservation Officers were assisted by the Porter Police Department, Porter Fire Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit, Indiana Dunes National Park Rangers, South Bend Police Department, New Buffalo Police Department, and Berrien County Sheriff’s Office.