WARSAW — The identity of the individual found unresponsive in the water on Little Chapman Lake on July 29 has been identified as Michael Cox from Japan. Cox is formally from the Marion area.

According to Michael Wilson, Kosciusko County Coroner, Cox and his sister, who has not been identified, own property on Chapman Lake. Cox was here from Japan visiting.

His death has been ruled an accidental death due to drowning. No further details are available.

It was around 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, Indiana Conservation Officers were called to Little Chapman Lake for an unresponsive person in the water. Initial reports indicate an adult male was swimming from a boat with a family member when the family member noticed the male had become unconscious in the water. The female attempted to pull him back into the boat but was unable to.

Good Samaritans in the area were able to get the female into their boat, but could not get the male out of the water. An off-duty Kosciusko County Police Officer arrived in his personal boat and was able to pull the unresponsive male out of the water. CPR was started and the victim taken to shore, where CPR was continued until EMS personnel arrived.

Despite efforts by police and EMS personnel, Cox was unable to be resuscitated. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the county coroner.