Update: Second Body Found In Leesburg Quarry Drownings
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
LEESBURG – One of the two Leesburg quarry drowning victims may have died trying to save the other one. Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officers located the second body, that of Allen Stattley, 41, Dowagiac, Mich., shortly before noon Monday in the same location as the body of Dustin Reaker, 29, Bremen. Reaker’s body was found about 7 p.m. Sunday in the quarry, which is located near 76 W. CR 600N. Officers used a remotely operated submersible vehicle to find Allen’s body and conservation officer divers then recovered him. The search and recovery operation has ended and it is believed all victims have been located, according to a press release from the IDNR. The investigation is still ongoing, however, it has revealed that it may have been a heroic tragedy, according to the release. It is possible that one victim was attempting to rescue the other after he fell through the ice during their Friday night fishing trip to the Leesburg area. Reaker and Stattler possibly went ice fishing Friday night and never returned. Witnesses found ice fishing equipment on the ice next to a large hole. A second witness stated the fishing equipment had been out there all day. An Indiana Conservation Officer responded to the scene and located evidence that someone had fallen through. The press release states, “Please remember to wear a USCG approved lifejacket anytime you are on or near the water.” Indiana conservation officers thank the multiple fire/rescue agencies and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance with this investigation.
