Sylvan Lake drowning is 11th in Oakland County this year

SYLVAN LAKE — According to a press release from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the body of an 84-year-old Sylvan Lake man was recovered Aug. 10 after his unattended boat was found drifting in the lake hours earlier.

The body of Louis William Petro was discovered around 10 p.m. by divers from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team and Southeast Michigan Dive Group in 5 feet of water approximately 200 feet from the shore, the release states.

The preliminary cause of death was determined to be from drowning. Petro was not wearing a life jacket, according to the release.

“In an already extremely tragic summer, the loss of another person while they were enjoying the water is very sad,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard stated via the 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 flotation device.”

According to the release, it was the 11th drowning in an Oakland County lake so far this year.

Other boaters saw Petro taking his 18-foot Glastron pleasure boat onto the lake at approximately 2:30 p.m. Aug. 9. He was a regular boater on the lake and was in the boat alone.

At around 5:15 p.m. Petro’s unoccupied boat was seen drifting in the water, and authorities were notified, according to the release.

Other boaters on the lake tied up the drifting Glastron to prevent it from getting in the way of other boaters.

Petro’s personal effects, including his cellphone, wallet and car keys, were discovered in the boat by deputies.

No signs of a struggle or foul play were discovered. There was no evidence of alcohol or drug use.

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

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office drone unit and aviation unit also assisted in the search, along with boats equipped with side scan sonar.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team is investigating the incident, according to the release.