Crime & Safety

Updated: Newtown Man Drowns in Lake Lillinonah

The body of a Newtown man who went missing Monday afternoon found by State Police.

Brookfield Police and Lake Lillinonah Authority patrols responded to reports of a man calling for help off the shore along Cove Road in Brookfield Monday afternoon, July 5, at approximately 2:32 p.m. Upon investigation, it was determined that William Donovan, 37, of Sandy Hook, had been swimming by the boat he was on, gone underwater and could not be located.

After a two-hour search involving Brookfield, Newtown and Bridgewater search and rescue SCUBA teams, State emergency responders arrived on the scene and were able to locate Donovan's body using sonar, 70 feet from the shore in eight to 10 feet of water. State Police discovered the victim at 7:20 p.m.; the body was transported to Danbury Hospital to await the Chief Medical Examiner.

Brookfield Volunteer Fire and Ambulance, including the Candlewood Volunteer Company and Lake Lillinonah Authority patrol boats, were first on the scene, followed by the Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue team and the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department patrol boat. 

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