A missing boater, Graham McGrath, aged 19 and a student at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), was found in Lake Como on a Florida college campus last Thursday.
McGrath had fallen from a wake boat into the lake at approximately 7 p.m. the previous day.
Sheriff Carmine Marceno stated in a news conference that McGrath’s body was recovered after an extensive overnight search that lasted over 12 hours.
Marceno stated that, “I’m very proud of the agencies involved and their commitment to locating Graham, We deployed numerous assets to assist with this search and to ultimately bring closure to his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this unfortunate incident.”
According to Marceno, McGrath’s body displayed no obvious physical injuries. However, the exact cause of his death will be determined by the medical examiner’s office. The sheriff’s department is actively looking into the incident and speaking with the 13 individuals who were also on the boat at the time.
When asked by a reporter whether or not they suspect foul play, Marceno said the following:
“Everything we do, we are suspicious in nature and until we prove otherwise, factually, we treat everything as if it is (suspicious), I’m confident in our detectives … and we will have all the answers to exactly those questions.”
Lake Como, which reaches depths of 30-50 feet, is jointly used by FGCU and the nearby community, as stated by Marceno. The wake boat involved was privately owned. FGCU is extending support to its students, providing counseling services and other resources to assist them in dealing with this unfortunate event.
In a statement, FGCU President Aysegul Timur said the following:
“The entire FGCU community is devastated by the loss of Graham, Our hearts and deepest sympathy go out to Graham’s family, the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, his friends and all members of our Eagle community as we cope with this unfortunate tragedy.”
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are still investigating the incident.
