A body recovered from Lake Erie has been identified as missing fisherman Corey Zearfoss, ending a weeks-long search that spanned both U.S. and Canadian waters.
Jet skiers found Zearfoss’ body at approximately 5:10 p.m. Sunday near the Lawrence Park Fishing Club off East Lake Road. Lawrence Park police, firefighters, and emergency personnel responded to the shoreline near the Lawrence Park Golf Club and the former GE Picnic Grove after the discovery was reported.
Zearfoss, 32, had been missing since July 8 after failing to return from a fishing trip on Lake Erie. His boat was later located in Canadian waters near Long Point, Ontario, prompting an extensive search by the U.S. Coast Guard and Canadian authorities. The search covered 2,756 square nautical miles over 60 hours before the Coast Guard suspended its efforts on July 10.
In the weeks that followed, family members, friends, and law enforcement continued searching for Zearfoss.
Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook confirmed Tuesday that the body recovered from Lake Erie was that of Zearfoss.