Man in his 80s drowns in Sylvan Lake, Oakland County's 11th drowning in 2024

SYLVAN LAKE (WWJ) — A Sylvan Lake man drowned in the waters of Sylvan Lake, Oakland County’s 11th drowning in 2024.

The Oakland County Sheriff said divers with their search and rescue team found the body of Louis Petro, 84, Friday (8/9) around 10 p.m., in about five feet of water 200 feet from shore. His preliminary cause of death is listed as drowning.

He was not wearing a life jacket, the sheriff’s office said.

“In an already tragic summer, the loss of another person while they were enjoying the water is very sad,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a press release. “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.”

According to the sheriff’s office, witnesses saw Petro take an 18-foot Glastron “pleasure boat” onto the lake on Friday around 2:30 p.m. He’s described as a “regular boater” who was alone in his boat. Around 5:15 p.m., other boaters spotted his unoccupied vessel in the water and called authorities.

Other boaters tied up the Glastron to keep it from drifting in front of others on the water, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies found Petro’s cellphone, wallet and keys inside his boat, according to the sheriff’s office.

Investigators found no signs of foul play, or evidence of drug or alcohol use.

The Sheriff’s Office divers were assisted by strike dive teams from Chesterfield Township Public Safety, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, Lapeer County Sheriff’s Office, Livingston County, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office drones and helicopters also helped with the search.

Sylvan Lake is located in the town of Sylvan Lake, in the area of Telegraph and Voorheis roads.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest updates as they become available. >>> LISTEN LIVE!

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