Family members reported Keifer missing Thursday after he did not return from a fishing trip to Caesar Creek State Park, said Ohio Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman Karina Cheung.
Warren County dispatchers contacted the ODNR Thursday evening, when rangers found Keifer’s vehicle at the north pool boat ramp. Cheung said rangers searched the lake and found a capsized 14-foot jon boat, or a flat-bottomed boat.
Crews searched the lake Thursday, Friday and Saturday with sonar boats and searched the ground and air with assistance from the ODNR Division of Wildlife, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Mason Police Department, Massie Twp. Fire Department, Loveland Symmes Task Force 1 and Christian Aid Ministries.
Multiple dive team members from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Services Unit responded to assist as part of the task force, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.
Divers recovered Keifer’s body at about 8:20 p.m. Saturday from a depth of approximately 30 feet, the sheriff’s office reported.
“Working jointly with other agencies is momentous in attaining a goal of rescue or recovery,” said Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the victim’s family.”
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