DNR investigating possible drowning

WHITLEY COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is investigating a possible drowning on Old Lake in Whitley County, our sister station WANE reports.

Just before 2 p.m. Saturday, the DNR said the Whitley County Sheriff's Department got a call about a possible drowning behind the residence at 7340 N 350 W on Old Lake.

Officials said James M. Beck, 29 of Fort Wayne, was swimming by himself out to a floating swim raft in the lake.

Beck's girlfriend was inside a residence at the lake. When she looked outside, she saw Beck start to struggle in the water. She ran down, jumped into the lake and swam out to him, investigators said. Because he was struggling, she wasn't able to hold him without going under water herself. She let go briefly to grab the swim raft nearby and when she turned around again, he had disappeared under the surface of the water.

When emergency responders arrived, divers searched that area of the lake. Members of the Indiana Conservation Officers and Kosciusko County Dive Teams found Beck's body at 8:45 p.m. in about 20 feet of water.

An autopsy scheduled for Sunday will determine the exact cause of death.