Missing man found dead in SUV partially submerged in frozen lake
Police say the retrieval of the SUV presented "unique challenges" due to the frozen condition of the lake.
Photo Credit: Facebook | Monongalia County Sheriff's Office)
A body found inside an SUV submerged in a West Virginia lake over the weekend has been identified as a man reported missing out of Pennsylvania, authorities said.
Kevin Lataille, 59, of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, had last been seen leaving work at an Eat'n Park in Morgantown, West Virginia, on Jan. 19. His wife, Lisa Ross-Lataille, and other family members began searching for him within hours of his disappearance, posts on Facebook reveal.
"I cannot begin to say enough thanks to everyone who has been helping with the search for Kevin. I don't understand how he can just disappear. There has to be cars that seen him on Sunday. That followed him.. no matter which way he was traveling..please God help us find him and bring him home to me. This is a nightmare not knowing anything," Ross-Lataille wrote.
Monongalia County Sheriff's Office recovers a submerged vehicle from Cheat Lake. (Photo Credits: Facebook | Monongalia County Sheriff's Office)
A week after Lataille's disappearance, believing his vehicle went over the Interstate-68 bridge, the Monongalia County Sheriff's Office walked along the bridge next to Cheat Lake near Morgantown locating car parts before leading an operation to retrieve the vehicle which was spotted partially submerged in the lake. Police say the retrieval of the SUV presented "unique challenges" due to the frozen condition of the lake.
On Monday, the sheriff's office announced that the vehicle was the Hyundai Tucson belonging to Kevin Lataille of Smithfield, Pennsylvania.
Following the recovery, Lataille's family issued a statement confirming the vehicle belonged to Lataille, according to WTAE. They also confirmed his body had been recovered on Facebook.
"We regret to inform you that Kevin has been found, but sadly, he has passed away," the post said. "We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the search efforts. The overwhelming support from friends, family, strangers, and those who distributed flyers, shared his missing person post, and prayed daily has been incredible. We are grateful to those who used drones, helped manage social media, and were there when we needed support the most."
Police are still investigating the circumstances leading to the vehicle’s submersion.
Reporting by TMX
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