Body of missing boater recovered near Green Island

MARINETTE — The body of missing boater Billy Salnik was recovered Saturday, according to Marinette County Sheriff Randy Miller.

Salnik, 32, Little Suamico, and his two children went missing while boating near Chambers Island in mid-July. The unmanned boat was located and the bodies of the children, ages 3 and 5, were recovered a few hours later about one mile south of where the boat was located.

The father’s body was not located despite search efforts by law enforcements and civilians.

Miller said Marinette County Dispatch received a call at 12:06 p.m. Saturday from a boater reporting they had possibly located a body near Green Island. The Marinette County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Marinette Fire Department responded immediately to the area to meet with the reporting person, he said in a press release.

Upon arrival at the location, the body was located, recovered, and later identified as missing boater Billy Salnik, Miller said. The incident remains under investigation by the Marinette County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Marinette County Sheriff’s Office.

Assisting the Marinette County Sheriff’s Office was the City of Marinette Fire Department.

“We would like to thank all those involved in the numerous searches for their tireless efforts,” Miller said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Billy at this time.”