A 37-year-old Buford man drowned in Lake Lanier, Hall County officials said Thursday.
The body of Simon Joseph Peters was recovered Wednesday evening by Hall County sheriff’s divers, Deputy Stephen Wilbanks said.
Department of Natural Resources game wardens located the victim with a remote operated vehicle, spokesman Mark McKinnon said Thursday.
It is believed to be the first drowning this year in Lake Lanier, which has a deadly reputation.
There were 17 fatalities at the lake in 2016, McKinnon said. Nine were by drowning, and eight were from boating incidents.
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Peters was last seen fishing Tuesday evening near Lazy Days Marina off Lanier Islands Parkway, Wilbanks said. Family members reported him missing after he didn’t return home.
Searchers found Peters’ car as well as some of his personal items on a dock. His body was found adjacent to that dock in about seven feet of water.
Foul play is not suspected at this time, Wilbanks said.
Peters’ body was sent to the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy.
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