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Screenshot from WXYZ video
An 84-year-old boater on Friday night became the 11th person suspected of drowing in an Oakland lake this year, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office said.
Louis William Petro of Sylvan Lake was found in Sylvan Lake around 10 p.m. Authorities said he died of drowning, but the investigation remains open.
Divers with the sheriff's office and the Southeast Michigan Dive Group found his body in five feet of water about 200 feet from the shore after he had been reported missing, authorities said. He was not wearing a life jacket.
“In an already extremely tragic summer, the loss of another person while they were enjoying the water is very sad,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a statement. “While we don’t know what happened in this case yet, we encourage people if they are not strong swimmers, or they are alone in the water to consider using a floatation device.”
Petro was seen taking his 18-foot Glastron pleasure boat into the lake at around 2:30 p.m. Friday.
At about 5:15 p.m., his unoccupied boat was seen drifting in the water, the sheriff's department said. His wallet, cell phone and car key were recovered from the boat.
Investigators found no signs of struggle or foul play or evidence of alcohol or drugs.
