A quiet afternoon at Lakewood's Clifton Beach took a grim turn yesterday when a body washed up along the Lake Erie shoreline, according to police. Lakewood officers and EMS responded to the scene and, shortly after arriving, EMS crews pronounced the man dead. Authorities initially described him as a white male believed to be in his mid-40s to mid-60s, and his remains were taken to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office for identification and to determine the cause of death.
Scene and response
Officers and firefighters were dispatched to Clifton Beach around 4:14 p.m., and EMS pronounced the man dead at 4:30 p.m., according to FOX8. Police said the body was recovered from rocks near a popular pier, then turned over to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. Investigators taped off the area, combing the shoreline and checking for anyone who might have seen what happened.
Identity and investigation
Lakewood police later identified the man as 35-year-old Adam J. Schwertner of Westlake, who had been reported missing on Sept. 2, according to News 5 Cleveland. The station reported there had been no calls about anyone in the water or in distress before the discovery. Lakewood police said foul play is not suspected at this time. Officials have not released a cause of death, pending the medical examiner’s findings.
Agencies involved and next steps
According to FOX8, Lakewood police notified the U.S. Coast Guard and nearby law enforcement agencies as part of the ongoing investigation and asked anyone with information to contact the department. The discovery, near a busy stretch of shoreline and restaurant piers, also prompted officials to remind visitors about summer lake safety and the dangers of rough water. The case remains under investigation while the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner completes work on the identification record and determines the official cause of death.
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