Drowning ruled cause of Toledo boater's death

7/11/2001

The South Toledo man whose body was found Monday after he disappeared while boating on Lake Erie with his family last week died from drowning, authorities said.

A final ruling on the cause of death for Benny Carpenter, Jr., 33, of Airline Avenue, is pending toxicology tests, Dr. Cynthia S. Beisser, a deputy Lucas County coroner, said yesterday.

The Coast Guard recovered Mr. Carpenter's body after a boater saw it floating in the water at 5:40 p.m. Monday about a mile northwest of the Toledo Harbor Light.

Mr. Carpenter disappeared in the same area Friday when he jumped into the water to help pull his brother-in-law, James Bricker, 45, of Millbury, back to a 17-foot Bayliner. Neither man was wearing a life preserver. Mr. Bricker was rescued.