The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office shared news of a death at Jordan Lake on Sunday afternoon and provided an update on Monday with the victim’s identity.

A release from the office said their officers, as well as several other emergency service agencies, responded to reports of a drowning near the Poe’s Ridge Boat Ramp — which is near the southern-most part of the lake in Moncure. Donald Semler, a San Antonio, TX resident, was identified as the deceased on Monday after initially withholding his name until next of kin could be notified. Investigators said he was was reportedly swimming in the lake near his boat when he disappeared from the view of his party with him. The sheriff’s office said his body was recovered shortly afterward.

Monday’s update said Semler was in the area visiting family who live in Holly Springs. He was 73 years old.

Chatham County investigators said on Sunday no foul play is suspected in the incident.

A road sign for Poe’s Ridge Boat Ramp. (Photo via Jordan Lake’s Facebook page.)

The drowning marks the second in this calendar year for Jordan Lake, which is in the northeastern part of Chatham County. In March, a 15-year-old Carrboro High School student drowned while jet-skiing in the area near the Farrington Point Boat Ramp. Investigators said the teenager was having mechanical problems on the water and was not still on the machine after a friend returned with help.

The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office said the N.C. Wildlife Commission, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chatham County Emergency Management, Moncure Fire Department, and Lee County Emergency Services assisted in the search operations on Sunday afternoon.

 

Photo via Jordan Lake’s Facebook page.

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