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Body Found on Beach in Muskegon County’s White River Township

Posted at 10:25 AM, May 13, 2014
and last updated 2014-05-13 11:57:49-04
white lake township body

Beach where body was found in White Lake Township

BREAKING: The Muskegon County sheriff said, “A body was found on the beach at the end of Eilers Road in White River Township.  Investigators will be working to confirm if this is the missing boat operator.”

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WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Muskegon County search crews were searching Tuesday morning for a boater who went missing in Lake Michigan.

The following is a news release from the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Department.

May 13, 2014

Muskegon County Sheriff Marine Personnel are investigating an incident of a missing boat operator, believe to have gone overboard in Lake Michigan somewhere between White Lake and Pentwater. The 26’ Sea Ray was located adrift and no one on board about 2 -3 miles out in Lake Michigan, off of Eilers Rd. In White River Township.

The operator launched the borrowed boat from Armstrong’s Marina in Whitehall enroute to Pentwater around 1pm Monday 05-12, 2014.
The operator, originally from the Grand Rapids area was alone on the boat and the boat belonged to a friend from Whitehall. The friend traveled by car to Pentwater to meet the boat and operator and when they did not arrive, a report was made to the USCG of an overdue boater around 3pm.

At approximately 7pm a resident of Eilers Rd. while viewing through a telescope, reported a boat erratically circling in Lake Michigan.

Coast Guard Units responded and recovered the boat and noted there was no one aboard. This boat was identified as the overdue boat reported earlier.

Sheriff Marine Deputies have interviewed the boat owner and searched the boat and at this point no foul play is expected. The missing subject is known to have a history of cardiac and diabetic medical problems. The Sheriff’s office is working on identifying and contacting family of the missing man. No name will be released until contact is made. A ground search of the beach area is being organized. Due to current weather conditions a water based search has been postponed.

Further details will be released as the investigation progresses.

 

Sheriff Dean Roesler

Muskegon County Michigan