The search for a missing octogenarian boater concluded tragically when his body was discovered yesterday 200 feet from the shore of Sylvan Lake. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office announced the recovery shortly before 10:45 p.m. on their social media. According to The Detroit News, the missing man had last been seen earlier in the day, around 2:30 p.m., presumably setting out for a boating excursion.

Another local boater, Phil Ross, noticed the unoccupied vessel and alongside a neighbor, investigated to find the boat without its captain. "I looked and I didn't see anybody in it. So our first thought is ‘maybe somebody fell asleep in there,’" Ross told FOX 2 Detroit. However, no one was on board, prompting them to contact authorities. The man's wallet, phone, and keys were found on the boat, along with his car remaining at the lake, deepening concerns for his well-being.

Officials had been combing the area for hours using drones, helicopters, and divers in a concerted effort that involved multiple agencies. The individual was not identified by authorities at the time of the discovery, but the sheriff noted the toll taken by local waters this season, with eleven drownings reported in Oakland County. "It's been a real tough summer on the lakes. This is piling onto that very tragic trend," Sheriff Michael Bouchard stated, as per The Detroit News.

Customary to his routine, the elderly man would often take his dog out on the lake with him. Nevertheless, the dog was neither at the man's residence nor on the boat, leaving awarding bystanders no further clue. Those in the vicinity have been requested to watch out for the missing canine, the breed of which has not been disclosed.