Michael Barnes dies in fatal Porter County drowning

Michael Barnes dies in fatal Porter County drowning

Fatal Porter County drowning death of Michael Barnes – Obituary

Michael Barnes, a 67-year-old resident of Valparaiso, was found dead in Lake Michigan after he reportedly disappeared beneath the water near Burns Ditch in Northwest Indiana.

Authorities say he had been fishing close to the shore when his boat floated away, prompting him to enter the water.

A 911 call came in around 11:30 a.m. on Monday reporting the incident. After several hours of coordinated searching by emergency crews, Barnes’ body was discovered around 1:40 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources confirmed his identity. Additional details about the circumstances have not yet been released.