86-Year-Old Grandfather Found Dead in Ohio Lake Where He Liked to Feed Birds

Mar. 15, 2025

Springfield Lake in Ohio.Photo:Springfield Township/Facebook

Springfield Township/Facebook

An 86-year-old grandfather has been found dead in an Ohio lake where authorities say he liked to feed birds.

The Lakemore Fire Departmentsaid in a Facebook postthat they were dispatched on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at around 4:30 p.m. local time to Springfield Lake due to reports of a drowning of an elderly man at the location.

“First responders arrived on scene and removed Mr. Balko from the water,” adds Chief Investigator Gary Guenther. “He showed no signs of life and was pronounced dead at the scene.”

The Summit County Medical Examiner determined that Balko’s death was accidental or the result of something medical in nature,Akron.comreported.

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Lakemore Police Sgt. Rich Morrison told the outlet that Balko’s death was ruled a drowning, but it was also possible he suffered from some kind of medical emergency that caused him to fall into the lake, which bordered his property.

“It looks like he was [walking near] the edge of the water,” Morrison said. “There was nothing suspicious; this was an unfortunate event.”

The Lakemore Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for additional comment.

source: people.com