The body of an adult male found on the water’s edge of West Beach Friday morning has been positively identified by the Porter County Coroner’s Office as that of a boater that went missing near Marquette Park Beach during the afternoon of August 11, 2019.
At this time, the family is respectfully requesting his identity not be released.
The Porter County Coroner’s Office has preliminarily determined the cause of death is related to multiple significant injuries consistent with being struck by a watercraft.
Toxicology results are pending.
Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the incident as a boating accident. At this time, it is believed the victim was the only occupant of the boat and was struck by his own boat after falling overboard for an unknown reason.
There is no further information available at this time.
Earlier:
Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the discovery of a body on West Beach earlier this morning, just east of the Lake County Line.
Shortly before 9 a.m. authorities were contacted after two walkers spotted the body of an adult white male along the water’s edge. The incident is currently under investigation, and foul play is not suspected. Positive identification and notification of next of kin are pending.
An autopsy to determine the cause of death will be conducted by the Porter County Coroner’s Office.
Assisting at the scene: Indiana Dunes National Park Rangers, Gary Police Department, Gary Fire Department, Portage Police Department, Portage Fire Department, Ogden Dunes Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and Porter County Coroner’s Office.
No further information is available at this time.
