CAMBRIA TOWNSHIP, MI (WTVB) – The woman who drowned in Baw Beese Lake in Hillsdale County has been identified as 28-year-old Tabitha Lynn Vear of Conroe, Texas. Vear grew up in Hillsdale County. Her body was recovered in 65 feet of water Thursday night almost 24 hours after she was reported as missing.
The Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Department was notified of Vear’s disappearance at about 9:20 p.m. Wednesday night. They say she was on a boat when she jumped into the water and never resurfaced.
The Sheriff’s Department Dive Team responded to the scene and a search was conducted but she was not located.
The search resumed Thursday morning with assistance from other agencies including the Michigan State Police Dive Team.
The Branch County Sheriff’s Office was among those assisting. Undersheriff Keith Eichler says they sent two Deputies from the marine patrol with a boat and side scan sonar.
Hillsdale County Sheriff Stan Burchardt says one the problems the divers faced yesterday was trying to work through all of the debris that was blown into the lake during the 1965 Palm Sunday tornado which devastated the area.
It’s reported that alcohol may have been a factor in the tragedy. The Hillsdale County Medical Examiner has ordered a post mortem examination and the investigation into the incident is continuing.
