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Police Recover Body From Lake Pontchartrain in Search for Missing Swimmer

The Orleans Parish coroner will perform an autopsy to identify the remains to determine cause of death.

Overview

  • Two people were reported swimming when one went underwater and did not resurface after a call placed around 3:19 p.m. Sunday near the 1800 block of Lakeshore Drive.
  • Multi-agency teams using dive crews, drones and sonar began searching Sunday and paused operations that night because of severe weather and a roughly 15-foot alligator sighting.
  • Officers recovered a body near the 2000 block of Lakeshore Drive around 9:40 a.m. Tuesday during the continued recovery operation.
  • Officials say the coroner will identify the remains and report the official cause of death after an autopsy, and police have not confirmed an alligator attack.
  • Police urge residents to avoid swimming in Lake Pontchartrain because strong undercurrents and wildlife pose hazards and further recovery work will resume when conditions are safe.