FPS Staff Report
July 29, 2008
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| DROWNING SCENE. Law enforcement and emergency personnel gather along the shore of Leesville Lake early Saturday evening near where the body of Tad Thompson was pulled from the lake. |
A night of partying on the shores of Leesville Lake turned tragic last Friday.
A party that began at about 7:15 p.m. and included drinking, nude swimming and sexual activity near the private beach area at Palermo on the Lake ended with one man missing and being pulled from the lake the next day, the victim of a drowning.
Tad C. Thompson, who celebrated his 39th birthday July 25, reportedly left the party, which was billed as “his birthday celebration,” after becoming angry over the other man present being with his girlfriend, according to a report filed by Lt. Troy Watson of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.
Watson said it was between 11:30 p.m. and midnight when Thompson left the area. His girlfriend said she tossed Thompson his swimming trunks while he was still in the water, and that was last time she saw him. The three told Lt. Watson they believed he walked away and they heard him off in the distance. They reportedly searched for him until between 1 and 2 a.m. with no success.
The next morning, at about 8 a.m., Thompson was reported missing to the Carroll County Sheriff’s office and a search began. Deputy Jane Michel was unable to locate Thompson at his home and Atwood Rangers were contacted at approximately 10 a.m. to set up a search. Atwood Rangers were notified because Leesville Lake lies within the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District.
A report filed by Atwood Ranger Jeremy Hoffer noted that, according to one of the friends, Thompson “had a history of getting drunk and walking off.” The friend said that is why she did not report him missing until Saturday morning. The area was searched on foot with no sign of Thompson.
At 3:45 p.m. Saturday, seven members of the Northern Ohio Valley Search and Rescue (NOVASAR) and two dogs arrived along with the Perrysville Dive Team and Carroll County Fire Department.
As Hoffer and Watson were waiting for the NOVASAR members to return from a debriefing, Watson observed something floating on the surface on the water in the swim area. At 6:32 p.m., volunteer diver Scott Beckly confirmed the presence of a body in the water. Thompson’s body was discovered in the farthest edge of the swim area, about 30 yards offshore in about four and one-half feet of water.
Carroll County Coroner Dr. Mandal Haas said the body was transported to a facility in Stark County where an autopsy was performed. He said the preliminary ruling is drowning with suspected alcohol involved. Haas said a final report will be issued when the results of toxicology reports are received, which could take several weeks. |
