Body Found in Lake Champlain (S. Hero)

[Chris Santee]

STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
DIVISION OF STATE POLICE
ST. ALBANS BARRACKS

** PRESS RELEASE **

DATE OF RELEASE:   May 2, 2010
INCIDENT:   Death Investigation                     

CASE #:  10A201758
INVESTIGATOR:   Sgt. Mike Henry
DATE & TIME OF INCIDENT:  May 2, 2010 @ 0945 hours       
LOCATION:   Lake Champlain near South Beach Road, So. Hero

VICTIM:  Unidentified male

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:  On May 2, 2010, at approximately 0945 hours, a kayaker located a body that had surfaced on Lake Champlain near South Beach Road in South Hero.  The Vermont State Police responded and recovered the body of a white male, fully clothed, who appeared to be in his late 40’s.  The Vermont State Police believe they have identified the deceased, but will wait for confirmation after an autopsy is performed and next of kin is notified.  No foul play is suspected.  The body is believed to have been in the water for approximately 6 weeks.  No further information will be released until a positive identification of the deceased has been identified.

[Henry]

A kayaker discovered the body of a man in Lake Champlain Sunday morning.

The kayaker found the body off South Beach Road in South Hero just before 10 a.m. It was located about 30 feet off shore.

The man was fully clothed and appeared to be in his 40's.

Police do not suspect foul play or suicide. They believe the body has been in the water for more than a month, and do not think the man was a missing snowmobiler or ice fisherman.

"We made a possible identification and through some of the investigation we determined the person has not been seen in approximately 5 or 6 weeks," said Sgt. Mike Henry of Vermont State Police.

Police have not released the man's name. They say it will take them about 6 weeks to determine the cause of death.

http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=12412806

[Henry]

Vermont State Police have identified the body of a man that surfaced on Lake Champlain this weekend.  Police say it is Michael Martel, 47, of Burlington, VT.

A kayaker found Martel's body Sunday morning near Sunset Beach Road in South Hero.  They say an autopsy did not reveal any trauma, so police say his death does not appear suspicious at this time.  The cause of death is still being investigated.

Police say Martel was a resident of Burlington, but was known to be staying at a Colchester camp prior to being last seen about six weeks ago.

For more information and a photo of Martel, click on the following link:

http://www.fox44now.com/global/story.asp?s=12418326