An investigation is underway after a body was pulled from the water at Magnolia Shores Lake on Tuesday.

Crenshaw County Sheriff Terry Mears addressed the investigation in a media release issued on Aug. 2, assuring the public that local law enforcement agencies are diligently working to confirm the details surrounding the incident.

“As a part of our commitment to a thorough investigation, the body has been transferred to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science in Montgomery for a comprehensive examination to determine the cause of death,” Mears said. “Our dedicated team is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident and we are collaborating closely with the Crenshaw County Coroner’s Office and the District Attorney’s office.”

Witnesses reported that on Aug. 1, members of a local family had been swimming in the lake when they noticed personal items floating in the distance. Assuming the items had been accidentally left behind by someone else, two members of the family navigated a personal watercraft into the lake to investigate. As they explored the area where the items were found, they saw what appeared to be a human body floating nearby.

The family immediately alerted local law enforcement to their discovery and members of the Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office, Highland Home Fire and Rescue, and Luverne Rescue responded to the location. Upon their arrival, first responders found the victim unresponsive. The individual was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Though the victim’s body was discovered in the lake, Crenshaw County Coroner Stae Sanders said that no official cause of death has been determined at this time.

“Right now, we don’t know much other than he [the deceased] was found in the water,” Sanders said. “We have identified him, and he has been taken to Forensic Science. We’ll know more when they release their report.”

Due to the nature of the ongoing investigation, names of the deceased and witnesses have not been released. At time of publication, the Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Department awaited findings from the Alabama Department of Forensic Science to release any further details.

Mears asked that anyone who may have information related to the case contact the Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office at 334-335-4850.