Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the death of a swimmer that occurred at Deam Lake Saturday evening.  

The body of Cory Dugger, 32, of Louisville, Ky., was recovered shortly after 5:00 p.m., after going missing in the water.

At approximately 5:15 p.m., Clark County Dispatch received a 911 call after Dugger disappeared beneath the surface while swimming outside of the designated swimming area.

Bystanders pulled Dugger from the water and initiated CPR.

An Indiana State Police trooper arrived shortly afterward, and deployed an automated external defibrillator (AED), and assisted with CPR until EMS arrived. Attempts to revive Dugger were unsuccessful, and he was transported to Clark Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.  

The incident remains under investigation by Indiana Conservation Officers. 

Dugger was not wearing a lifejacket at the time of the incident.  Indiana Conservation Officers strongly encourage wearing a lifejacket when recreating on or around bodies of water.  

Assisting agencies at the scene included Indiana Conservation Officers, Sellersburg Fire Department, Indiana State Police, Clark County Sheriff’s Department, and AMR ambulance service.

Indiana Conservation Officers are concluding for the evening their search operations at Eagle Creek Reservoir for a missing paddle boater that fell overboard and never resurfaced.

Search efforts will resume tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. 

The incident occurred yesterday afternoon. Search operations utilizing sonar and divers lasted into the evening hours and throughout today. 

This incident is still under investigation and updates will be provided as they become available.

Agencies assisting on scene included the Indianapolis Fire Department, Pike Township Fire, IMPD and IMPD Ranger Unit. 

The body of a 12-year-old Glenwood, Illinois, child was recovered this evening after going missing while swimming with family.

At around 5:15 p.m. this evening, emergency personnel responded to Marquette Beach after a child was reported missing in the water.

Witnesses reported the boy was wading in approximately chest-deep water with family members when they unexpectedly stepped into deeper water.

While the family struggled in the water, one of the family members noticed the child was not on the surface of the water. Lifeguards were on-duty and immediately initiated a search for the boy.

Emergency personnel from multiple departments responded to the area and continued the search.

At approximately 6:20 p.m., a Portage Fire Department member on a personal watercraft spotted the victim below the surface.

A nearby Porter Fire Department diver immediately recovered the victim. He was brought to shore and was determined to be deceased.

Indiana Conservation Officers are conducting the ongoing investigation with the Gary Police Department and Lake County Coroner’s Office.

Responding agencies include: Gary Police Department, Gary Fire Department, Marquette Beach Lifeguards, Lake County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Unit, U.S. Coast Guard, Indiana Dunes National Park Rangers, Hobart Fire Department, Crown Point Fire Department, Merrillville Fire Department, Portage Fire Department, Porter Fire Department, Lakes of Four Seasons Fire Department, and Lake County Coroner’s Office.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced Indiana’s statewide community resource referral agency, Indiana 211, is now part of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.

The change, which was part of Gov. Holcomb’s 2020 Next Level agenda and unanimously approved by the Indiana General Assembly during its 2020 session, will make it easier for Hoosiers to navigate the significant amount of state and community services available to support their overall health and well-being.

“By connecting the resources of FSSA with the versatility of Indiana 211, we can offer Hoosiers great government service,” Gov. Holcomb said. “We will connect them with what they need, when they need it with this 24 hours a day, seven days a week hotline.”

Indiana 211 is a free service that connects Hoosiers with assistance and answers from thousands of health and human service resources – quickly, easily and confidentially.

Indiana 211 and FSSA will be able to more efficiently aid Hoosiers in need by providing a one-stop shop for community and state services. When they dial 2-1-1, Hoosiers are connected to an experienced, responsive and compassionate team of community navigators who are skilled at identifying needs and providing referrals that best meet those needs.

“Along with Governor Holcomb and the Indiana General Assembly, Indiana’s United Ways and the Indiana 211 Partnership have been great partners in making this vision become a reality,” said Jennifer Sullivan, M.D., M.P.H., FSSA secretary. “It is the ultimate goal of all involved to support Hoosiers’ overall health and well-being. They need a simple front door to walk through to receive any service or program we offer without delay – and if we don’t offer it, a way to be connected to it.”

Indiana 211 and FSSA already have a history of joint success, through programs such as the partnership with OpenBeds, which was part of Gov. Holcomb’s 2018 Next Level agenda and has to date has connected over 1,400 Hoosiers with drug treatment and community services. The organizations have also partnered on operating suicide prevention and Adult Protective Services hotlines, and will be introducing new services related to helping Hoosiers recover from the COVID-19 pandemic in the near future.