Authorities identify Conneaut Lake drowning victim

CONNEAUT LAKE — An Erie woman fell into Conneaut Lake from the rear of boat Sunday afternoon and drowned, according to the Crawford County Coroner’s Office.

The body of Kourtney Deese, 30, was recovered at 12:05 a.m. today by scuba divers off Oakland Beach/Morning Shores at Conneaut Lake.

Deese’s death was ruled accidental asphyxiation due to drowning by Coroner Scott Schell. Deese wasn’t wearing a lifejacket, Schell said.

No autopsy is planned though toxicology testing will be done, Schell said Monday. Toxicology testing is the sampling of tissue, blood and other body fluids to identify potential toxins in the body.

Both Schell and Chief John Treacy of Conneaut Lake Volunteer Fire Department said it was unknown why Deese went overboard. Deese was one of six people in the boat at the time with Deese sitting on a transom seat at the rear.

The boat was traveling from south to north a few hundred yards off shore of the Oakland Beach area when Deese went overboard, Treacy said. A call to the Crawford County 911 Center then was made from the boat resulting in the search, Treacy said.

Treacy said emergency crews were called out at 5:37 p.m. Sunday with personnel from four counties responding.

Deese’s body was recovered by divers in 28 feet of water, Treacy said.