OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – A Waterford Township man died in a suspected drowning in Maceday Lake on Monday night, officials said.
At 9:42 p.m. on Dec. 9, the county’s search and rescue team responded to the 3700 block of Austinwood after a 911 caller said they heard someone yell for help and “the sound of someone thrashing about in the water,” according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
Waterford Township police received another report, in which the caller said the yelling had stopped.
Joselito Estonilo Garcia, 61, was found unresponsive under a dock in the lake by an officer.
Life-saving measures were administered and the victim was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead early Tuesday.
His autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, but authorities say the cause of death was likely drowning.
“This has been an extremely tragic year for drownings in Oakland County,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. “Sadly, many threads are common with drownings and often include alcohol consumption. That is under investigation in this case as well. We urge people to be safe in and around water.”
The sheriff’s office doesn’t know how Garcia entered the lake, but believes alcohol might have been a factor.
Other areas of the lake were searched as authorities were told another person may be in the water, but no other person was found.
Oakland County divers were assisted by the Southeast Michigan Dive Group, the Livingston County Dive Team and the Huron Clinton Metro Parks Search & Rescue Team.
The investigation is ongoing.