# Three Family Members Found Dead After Capsized Fishing Boat in Saginaw Bay
The bodies of three Whitmer family members were recovered from a capsized fishing boat in Saginaw Bay following a two-day search and rescue operation.
The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Detroit reported that the agency received notice that a vessel in Saginaw Bay was overdue on the evening of Tuesday, May 5. The vessel departed from Gambill's Landing and was reported to be fishing near the Black Hole area off Pinconning, Michigan. Three adult males were on board the boat when it failed to return.
Victims Identified
The Coast Guard identified the three missing men as Chris Whitmer, Ron Whitmer, and Chris Stanley Whitmer Sr. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources confirmed that authorities found the capsized vessel approximately two miles offshore on Wednesday morning around 11 a.m. local time.
Coast Guard and Michigan DNR personnel located the first body about 500 yards from the capsized vessel. Two additional victims were found within several hundred yards of the boat during the search operation.
The Coast Guard searched all night, the helicopter was up, their boats were out, and the Department of Natural Resources was out in a boat. The boat was capsized out there, and we located the first body, said Bay County Sheriff Troy Cunningham.
Cause of Death Determined
Autopsy results later revealed that all three victims had drowned. The boat did not sustain any structural damage during the capsizing incident.
One victim was confirmed to be wearing a life jacket, while another was holding onto one. It remains unknown whether the third victim wore a life jacket.
Victims Hailed From Beaverton
According to the victims obituaries, Ronald Whitmer, 76, and Chris Stanley Whitmer, 71, were brothers. Both men served in the Navy and worked at Dow Chemical until their retirements.
Ronald Whitmer loved hunting and always looked forward to the annual Maple Valley deer camp each fall. He especially enjoyed fishing, particularly the yearly Taquamenon trip in the spring with his good buddies and family. Ronald always enjoyed lending a guiding hand on projects with all of his kids and solicited the best advice. He looked forward to the family reunion and tinkering around the house with his many treasures.
Chris Stanley Whitmer was a true outdoorsman who often spent his free time hunting, fishing, and camping. He loved to cook and most of all cherished spending time with his family, including the moments he spent with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and brothers.
The third victim, Chris L.C. Whitmer, 51, was Stanley's son and Ronald's nephew. He was a former operator at Dow Chemical for several years.
L.C. Whitmer enjoyed hunting and fishing. His family was everything to him and he deeply cherished the time he was able to spend with his children, grandchildren, and parents.
All three victims hailed from Beaverton and left behind their children and loved ones. Their bodies were cremated according to their obituaries.
Investigation Underway
An investigation into the incident is being led by the Bay County Sheriff's Office. The Michigan DNR confirmed the agency is working with local authorities on the case.
The Coast Guard and Bay County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to requests for additional information.
The victims were cremated according to their obituaries.