Missing Manhattan Man Took Own Life By Drowning: Sheriff

MANHATTAN, IL — A Manhattan man whose body was found in a lake in Coal City took his own life, the Grundy County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

Anthony Fehrenbacher, 47, was found dead in a lake at CECO Recreation Club June 10, two weeks after he had been reported missing. His death was ruled a drowning. An investigation continued to rule out foul play.

Fehrenbacher's body was found with an "apparatus" attached to it, the sheriff said.

"As firefighters and police personnel removed Fehrenbacher from the water, they observed an apparatus attached to him which allowed him to sink to the bottom of the lake," the sheriff said Thursday.

A forensic exam found no signs of trauma and toxicology showed therapeutic levels of prescribed medication, the sheriff's office said.

"After a thorough investigation and examination of evidence collected and multiple interviews, Grundy County Detectives found no evidence to lead them to any other conclusion other than Fehrenbacher took his own life," officials said.

"Generally, we don’t release information on suicides however due to the media attention and the fact Fehrenbacher was reported missing, we feel the need to let the public know we found no foul play surrounding this death."