OCEANA COUNTY, MI – The body of fisherman Steve Bruce has been sent to Grand Rapids where an autopsy and toxicology report will be conducted.
Bruce, 62 of Hart was found in 78 feet of water in Lake Michigan around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 17 several days after he disappeared when he jumped into the water chasing a net and large fish while fishing with two other men.
Brian Waslusky, 53 of Hart, also died as a result of the incident. Waslusky’s body was recovered a short time after the incident by U.S. Coast Guard personnel who transported him to Pentwater.
Shortly after arrival, he was pronounced dead. An autopsy and toxicology report will also be conducted on Waslusky’s body.
Police should know the manner of both men’s death relatively soon, but the cause is almost assured to be accidental drowning, said Oceana County Sheriff Lt. Craig Mast. The autopsy is to confirm that.
The toxicology report will determine whether or not Bruce and Waslusky had drugs or alcohol in their systems. Those results could take several weeks.
“That part is still under investigation,” Mast said. “But there may be some substances involved that may have led to some poor decision making.”
The 23-foot Bayliner fishing boat owned by Bruce has been stored at an Oceana County Sheriff Office storage facility since the incident. It will be released to Bruce’s family today, Aug. 19.
The third member of the fishing party, Russell Pierce, survived the ordeal. Pierce has been interviewed by police and is not suspected of any foul play.
“He appears to be very forthcoming and we believe him to be telling an accurate account of the day’s events,” Mast said. “Some good Samaritans in the area have corroborated his story.”
Bruce’s body was discovered by officials from the Michigan State Police and Oceana County Sheriff’s Department who were using side scan sonar to locate a target area. Waves of 4 to 6 feet made recovery of the body dangerous.
The MSP used a robot to determine the body was in fact Bruce but attempts to use the robot to bring Bruce to the surface were unsuccessful, Mast said. MSP divers eventually used an airbag to retrieve the body.
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