Death of Fort Wayne Boy in Troy Cedar Lake under Investigation
Posted
Staff Report-
WHITLEY COUNTY – Indiana Conservation Officer Darren Reed is investigating a possible drowning that occurred Saturday at approximately 6:50 p.m.
The victim, Richard Shadle Jr., a 15-year-old white male from Fort Wayne, was swimming with friends near a beach area at the southeast end of Troy Cedar Lake. Witnesses at the scene advised that Shadle began to have difficulty swimming for an unknown reason and then went under the surface of the water and never reappeared, according to a press release from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Shadle was recovered by Reed at 8:22 p.m. Saturday, in approximately 10 feet of water and 55 feet from shore.
Reed was assisted at the scene by the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Thorncreek Township Fire Department, Richland Township Fire Department, Whitley County EMS and the Whitley County Coroner’s Office.
An autopsy was conducted Sunday afternoon on Shadle. As a result, the preliminary results indicate Shadle died as a result of asphyxia due to drowning, with all findings consistent with accidental drowning. Currently, according to the DNR press report, it is not believed any foul play was involved in the death, however, the investigation is still currently ongoing and a final determination on the cause of death will not be available until all lab test results are complete.
