Bartow County authorities have recovered the body of a man who disappeared in Lake Allatoona on Sunday.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources game wardens, along with Bartow County Fire/Rescue, located and recovered the body of Fidel Ojwang, 28, of Lilburn, just after midnight Monday. Crews found him in about 60 feet of water near Glade Marina using boat-mounted SONAR, and recovered the body with a Remote Operated Vessel (ROV). Officials turned the body over to the Bartow County Coroner.
The incident occurred around 12:49 p.m. Sunday when Ojwang exited the back of a ski boat, went underwater, and did not resurface. Search teams responded immediately and continued working through the night.
The Bartow County Coroner’s Office says the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) will conduct the autopsy to determine the official cause of death.
Officials continue to urge everyone to practice strong water safety. Georgia law requires children under 13 to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket unless inside a fully enclosed cabin, and boats must carry a life jacket for every person aboard.
Boaters should designate a sober operator, use a dedicated spotter during skiing or tubing, and ensure everyone wears a properly fitted life jacket when appropriate.
We will continue to follow this story and bring you updates from the GBI, DNR, and Bartow County Coroner as more information becomes available.