Crime & Safety

Swimmer Found Dead In Baltimore County Quarry: Police

A swimmer was found dead in a Baltimore County quarry, police said. Officers identified the man, 36, after a three-day search.

The Baltimore County Police Department said the body of missing swimmer Michael Randle, 36, was found Tuesday at Cockeysville's Beaver Dam Swimming Club. The search is pictured above.
The Baltimore County Police Department said the body of missing swimmer Michael Randle, 36, was found Tuesday at Cockeysville's Beaver Dam Swimming Club. The search is pictured above. (Courtesy of the Baltimore County Police Department)

COCKEYSVILLE, MD — Search crews found the body of a missing swimmer Tuesday in a Baltimore County quarry, police said.

Officers identified the victim as 36-year-old Michael Randle, who had been missing for three days at Cockeysville's Beaver Dam Swimming Club.

WBAL-TV and WJZ both reported that a lifeguard tried to rescue the struggling victim, but they couldn't find him in the water.

Find out what's happening in Towsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"It's weird. You really don't know how to feel. It feels fake," witness Josh Bradds told WJZ. "Everybody out there is never going to forget this day. Like we just saw that man disappear."

Beaver Dam Swimming Club spans about 30 acres. It offers two pools that reach up to 5 feet deep. It also has a freshwater quarry that averages 40 feet deep and is only recommended for strong swimmers.

Find out what's happening in Towsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Related: Swimmer Still Missing At Cockeysville's Beaver Dam Swimming Club

The Baltimore County Fire Department said it was called to the swim club on Sunday at 6:06 p.m.

The swimmer had been seen struggling in the water and went under, crews said. Dive operations were suspended overnight Sunday and resumed Monday morning, but the victim still wasn't found after a second day of searching.

The Baltimore County Police Department resumed searching on Tuesday.

Crews used handheld sonar devices, divers and an underwater robot from the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

Other groups involved in the search included the Baltimore City and Howard County fire departments, Maryland State Police URT, Delaware State Marine Team and a volunteer group that has water cadaver dogs.

This map shows where the swim club is located.

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