Authorities Seek Help Identifying Drowning Victim

The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in identifying a drowning victim recovered from Lake Michigan July 4 northwest of Leland Harbor.

Michigan State Police has provided a post-mortem recreation photo of the victim, who is a white male belived to be between the ages of 50 and 75. At the time the victim's body was recovered, the man was believed to have been deceased for several days, but less than a week. "All possible known and documented missing persons" have been eliminated as leads, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Authorities have also released a photo of a small watercraft that was found 8.3 miles southwest of the body recovery location, closer to North Manitou Island. The dingy was originally a medium gray color with a black floor, but had been repainted olive drab, which is now well-worn. Authorities don't know at this time if the victim and the recovered watercraft are connected.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office at 231-256-8800.