KENDALLVILLE — The victim in Tuesday’s drowning at Bixler Lake, Kendallville, has been identified as Dwayne Sparkman, 52, Kendallville, according to a release by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division.

The Noble County Coroners Office has ruled the preliminary cause of death as drowning.

Emergency personnel were notified at 5:56 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, of a person calling for help while swimming on the southwest side of Bixler Lake. Witnesses saw the person go underwater and not resurface. Rescue personnel with Orange Township Volunteer Fire Department recovered the body at 11:50 p.m.

An autopsy was performed at 10:30 a.m. today, Wednesday, Aug. 26.