Pewaukee 18yearold’s body recovered from Okauchee Lake after overnight search
Jun 20, 2026
The body of an 18-year-old Pewaukee man was recovered from Okauchee Lake on Saturday morning after an overnight search, according to the Village of Lac La Belle Police Department.Police said officers and the Western Lakes Fire D
istrict were dispatched to the lake at 10:41 p.m. Friday after receiving a report of a boater who had fallen overboard and gone missing.According to Western Lakes Fire District, rescue boats were deployed within minutes of arriving on scene."I was on the end of the pier last night, and all of a sudden I saw a bunch of squad boats go past. We were watching them and seeing all the lights flashing by the house," said Okauchee Lake resident Caleb Blanton.The search quickly expanded into a multi-agency response involving dive teams, sonar equipment, drones, and a remotely operated underwater vehicle.Search efforts continued until about 1 a.m. Saturday, according to the fire district. The operation then transitioned from a rescue effort to a recovery mission under the direction of the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department.Search crews returned to the lake at 6:30 a.m. Saturday.At about 11:30 a.m., Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wardens located the 18-year-old in approximately 90 feet of water, according to police.The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department Dive Team assisted in recovering the victim.Authorities have not released additional information about what led the man to fall overboard Friday night.The incident remains under investigation.The drowning comes less than a week after a 38-year-old Milwaukee man died in a separate drowning on Nagawicka Lake in Delafield.Following that incident, Lake Country Fire and Rescue reminded boaters to have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device for every person on board and encouraged anyone entering the water to wear a life jacket.Police said agencies assisting in the response included the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Western Lakes Fire District, Waukesha County Sheriff's Department, Lake Country Fire and Rescue, Village of Oconomowoc Lake Police Department, Village of Chenequa Police Department, and Waukesha County Communications."Our sincere condolences go out to the victim's family and everyone involved in this tragedy," Village of Lac La Belle Police Chief Kristen Wraalstad said in a statement.Its about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for TMJ4 on your device.Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip
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