Advisory
Accidental Drowning
Sheriff Richard J. Behnke reports his office is investigating an accidental drowning which took place on Belas Lake, Penn Township, Cass County, Michigan. This incident occurred on 10/21/2022 at 0723 Hrs.
Deputies were called to the scene when a kayak was located adrift at the northwest corner of the lake. The kayak was unoccupied with hunting equipment, floating near the kayak. Authorities investigated the area and located the owner of the kayak deceased below the surface of the water. Authorities recovered the subject, who was identified as Terry Allen Westphal, 50 years old, resident of Cassopolis, Michigan.
Initial investigation shows that Westphal, fell into the water from his kayak and drowned. An autopsy is pending at Western Michigan University's WMed Forensic Pathology Center.
Accidental Drowning 
ACCIDENTAL DROWNING
Sheriff Richard J. Behnke reports his office is investigating an accidental drowning which took place on Belas Lake, Penn Township, Cass County, Michigan. This incident occurred on 10/21/2022 at 0723 Hrs.
Deputies were called to the scene when a kayak was located adrift at the northwest corner of the lake. The kayak was unoccupied with hunting equipment, floating near the kayak. Authorities investigated the area and located the owner of the kayak deceased below the surface of the water. Authorities recovered the subject, who was identified as Terry Allen Westphal, 50 years old, resident of Cassopolis, Michigan.
Initial investigation shows that Westphal, fell into the water from his kayak and drowned. An autopsy is pending at Western Michigan University's WMed Forensic Pathology Center.
Assisting agencies on scene were Newberg Township Ambulance and Cass County Marine Division.
This incident remains under investigation.
Address/Location
Cass County MI Sheriff's Office
321 Michigan 62
Cassopolis, MI 49031
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 269-445-1560