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Police release more details on body pulled from Walled Lake near Mercer Beach

Posted at 4:43 PM, Jul 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-19 16:19:19-04

The Oakland County Medical Examiner has ruled the drowning a suicide after the Sheriff's Office Dive Rescue Team found the body floating in the water with cinder blocks tied to the feet.

Editor's note: If you're feeling suicidal or having suicidal thoughts, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Around 4 p.m. on July 18, a passing boater reported a man's body floating on the surface of Walled Lake. 

Walled Lake Police and the Sheriff's Office Dive Rescue Team immediately responded to recover the body. The team found the 37-year-old man floating in 10 feet of water. Officials say the victim had tied cinder blocks to his feet before entering the water. The body had become buoyant and rose to the surface.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the man had a history of past suicide attempts. Family last saw him Sunday morning when he launched a canoe onto the lake. He was reported missing to Walled Lake Police Wednesday afternoon.

It was not uncommon for the victim to leave several days without telling them, the family said. 

The body was found near Mercer Beach, which is on the north end of the beach off of Walled Lake Dr.