Dad of two found dead in Lake Erie days after he fell from boat, reports say

Days after a 21-year-old dad fell overboard while boating on Lake Erie, his body has been found, according to local news reports.

Crews with U.S. Coast Guard Station Marblehead in Ohio began searching for the man at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, according to a Twitter post. They said he fell from a 27-foot boat, then he was separated by strong winds and current.

After looking for him for nearly 24 hours, the search was suspended Wednesday evening.

Then, on Sunday, July 16, authorities said his body was found.

The U.S. Coast Guard identified the man as Samuel Ickes Jr., of Fremont, Ohio, according to cleveland.com.

He was a father to two children, WTVG reported.

“Unfortunately it’s not the outcome that we was all hoping for,” the man’s dad, Sam Ickes, shared on Facebook. “ ... I want to thank everyone that has reached out and took the time to pass the word and took the time out of their busy lives to go and look…please pass on our appreciation…”

“i can’t believe this,” his girlfriend, Mckenzie Bryant, wrote on Facebook. “this can’t be real!! i don’t want to live without you.”

This story was originally published July 17, 2023 at 8:47 AM with the headline "Dad of two found dead in Lake Erie days after he fell from boat, reports say."