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Drowning victim from Antioch identified

An Antioch man who drowned in Lake Marie had been drinking before he died, authorities said.

The body of David Azooz, 47, was found washed ashore about 11 p.m. Tuesday following a nearly five-hour search in the lake near the village, Lake County Assistant Coroner Orlando Portillo said.

An autopsy conducted Wednesday afternoon revealed Azooz had drowned, Portillo said. Additionally, toxicology tests showed alcohol in Azooz’s system, Portillo said, enough that it was a factor in his death.

More test results are pending, Portillo said.

Antioch firefighters responded to a call of a man under the water about 6:20 p.m. just north of the Sandbar Bar and Grille, Deputy Fire Chief Chris Lienhardt said.

“It was some sort of mechanical problem with the boat, and the individual was trying to rectify the problem when he fell in,” Lienhardt said.

Divers searched the area for about an hour before switching to a recovery operation, Leinhardt said. Divers from 15 area departments assisted.

Residents of the tight-knit boating community came to offer help and support Tuesday night, and many of them knew the missing man.

“He was very athletic, and I’m shocked that this happened to him. He was a very good swimmer, a skier, and a very good athlete and a really nice guy,” said friend Cindy Court.

ABC 7 and staff writer Sara Hooker contributed to this report.

Divers looking for a missing person on Lake Marie near Antioch Tuesday night. Courtesy of ABC 7 Chicago
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