A remotely operated submersible vehicle was used to locate the remaining fisherman. (Photo by Indiana Conservation Officers)
LEESBURG — Indiana Conservation Officers are continuing their investigation into the deaths of Allen Shattley, 41, Dowagiac, Mich., and Dustin Reaker, 29, Bremen, whose bodies were found in the Leesburg quarry owned by Phend & Brown Inc. However, it has revealed that it may have been a heroic tragedy.
A Conservation Officer operates the submersible vehicle while viewing the images.
Indiana Conservation Officer Jonathan Boyd says it is possible that one victim was attempting to rescue the other after falling through the ice during their Friday night fishing trip to the Leesburg area. Both men worked at Heartland RV, Elkhart.
Conservation officers utilized a submersible vehicle today to find Shattley’s body with divers recovering him. The search and recovery operation has ended and it is believed all victims have been located.
Officers urge fishermen and others to remember to wear a USCG approved lifejacket anytime on or near the water.
Indiana Conservation Officers would like to thank the multiple fire/rescue agencies and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department for all of their assistance with this investigation.
Conservation officers began conducting a search and recovery operation at the rock quarry near 76 W 600N Sunday afternoon after witnesses found ice fishing equipment on the ice, next to a large hole. A second witness stated the equipment had been out there all day. Officers responded and located evidence that someone had fallen through the thin ice.
The Indiana Conservation Officers Dive Team, assisted by the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department Dive Team and Warsaw Police Department Dive team, conducted an underwater search and recovery Sunday afternoon into the early evening. Reaker’s body was recovered around 7 p.m. Sunday evening. The search was called off due to darkness and resumed this morning. Shattley’s body was located around 11 a.m. and recovered around noon in the same location as Reaker.