Winona Lake Drowning Victim Identified
News Release
WINONA LAKE — The victim of a drowning in Winona Lake on Tuesday, Sept. 13, has been identified.
According to a press release by Winona Lake Police sent on Tuesday afternoon, the victim was identified as Anthony Steven Milton, 25, East Center Street, Warsaw. Police released the information after Milton’s family was identified.
At approximately 8:33 a.m. Tuesday, Warsaw Police were dispatched to check on the welfare of a male subject with red hair yelling at passing motorists, while on the property of Walgreens, 2400 E. Center St. Around 6 minutes later, officers checked the area but were unable to locate the subject.
At 9:38 a.m. Winona Lake Police were notified of a man with red hair that was yelling and appeared to be in distress in the water of Winona Lake, just south of the beach/pier area, on Park Avenue.
Winona Lake Police were first on scene and, with the use of a civilian boat, began searching the area. Conditions on the water at that time were very foggy and visibility was difficult, police said.
Almost immediately, divers and boats were requested and Warsaw Dive Team responded, comprised of manpower from Warsaw Police and Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory. Additionally, divers and a boat from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office also made the scene.
At 10:38 a.m. the rescue effort turned to one of recovery. At 11:53 a.m. divers found the deceased victim at the bottom of the lake, in about 6.5 feet of water.
Investigators were able to make positive identification from tattoos, and he also matched descriptions given in the earlier two calls for service.
Winona Lake Police, Indiana Conservation Police and the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office are still investigating this incident. Anyone with information is asked to call the Winona Lake Police Department at (574) 267-8622.
Assisting in the rescue/recovery efforts were Winona Lake Police, Winona Lake Fire, Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory, Warsaw Police, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana Conservation Officers, Indiana State Police, Lutheran EMS and the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office.