Missing Boater's Body Found In Indiana Lake

VALPARAISO, IN — Three weeks after his canoe overturned on Long Lake, the body of 20-year-old Keegan Whaling has been found, authorities announced Sunday. Whaling, of Valparaiso, was canoeing with a friend at around 7 a.m. Oct. 29 when his boat overturned. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources' Law Enforcement Division said Whaling's friend, 21, was able to remove his coat and make it to shore, but Whaling did not. Authorities believed he went into the water and did not resurface.

IDNR said Whaling's body was found in roughly eight feet of heavily weeded water about 60 yards from shore in the north end of Long Lake. Conservation officers were notified that the body was found by Crossman Consulting shortly after noon on Sunday.

Officers arrived on the scene and assisted with removing Whaling's body from the water at around 2:30 p.m.

IDNR said neither Whaling nor his friend were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.

Officials said an autopsy is scheduled for Monday, and foul play is not suspected.

Whaling's body was found days after a green blanket that had been in the canoe with him was found draped over a railing at the Long Lake boat ramp. IDNR said it identified the person who found the blanket, who was able to show officers were the blanket was found in the lake.

Photo: Keegan Whaling/via Indiana Department of Natural Resources