Dog-walker along shore of Diamond Lake spots body of drowning victim from Bend; search ends in recovery

(Update: Dog-walker spots Bend man's body in water, now recovered)

DIAMOND LAKE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A citizen walking their dog along the shore of Diamond Lake spotted a body in the water on Friday, leading to the recovery of a 37-year-old Bend man who drowned while boating with friends last weekend, prompting days of searching, Douglas County sheriff’s deputies said.

Searchers had been looking for Chimanbai Patel, 37, who had been on a pontoon boat with friends last Saturday when the friends said he jumped into the water for a swim, but went under and never resurfaced, DCSO Lieutenant Brad O’Dell said.

Marine deputies were already on their way to continue searching for Patel on Friday when 911 dispatchers got a call from the dog-walker around 7:45 a.m., O’Dell said.

The deputies recovered the body and confirmed it to be Patel. His family was notified, and the county Medical Examiner’s Office responded to begin a death investigation.

“Currently, there are no indications of foul play,” the lieutenant said.

He added, "The Douglas County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Klamath County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police, Diamond Lake Resort, United States Forest Service, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Douglas County Dive Team and all of the community members who assisted in the search. "

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Earlier info:

Around 5:40 p.m. Saturday, Douglas County 911 dispatchers received a report that Patel had been on a pontoon boat with friends at Diamond Lake when he jumped in to take a swim. Shortly after entering the water, Patel went under and never resurfaced, deputies said.

A dog trained in water recovery was deployed with searchers on the lake on Monday, but Patel remains missing, the agency said,

“This is a tragedy for his friends and family,” O'Dell said.

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