Michigan drowning victim identified
7/8/2013MONROE -- Authorities have confirmed the identity of a body found Saturday near a state park in northeastern Monroe County as that of a Waterford, Mich., man who disappeared after jumping into Lake Erie three days earlier.
The body of James Paul VanDosen, 36, was found about 150 feet from shore, north of Swan Creek and near the Pointe Mouille State Game Area, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
An autopsy performed Monday by the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office determined that Mr. VanDosen died of accident drowning.
Mr. VanDosen was at a fireworks show Wednesday with his girlfriend and her children at Estral Beach when he dove into the lake and swam toward one of the children. A nearby boater helped the 8 year old, but Mr. VanDosen struggled to stay afloat and could not be found in the water.