REND LAKE, IL — Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler says a 37-year-old Fairview Heights man was found dead around 12:40 Tuesday afternoon at Rend Lake.

Leffler says Bryan W. Petty was pronounced dead at 1:20 p.m.

Emergency crews were dispatched to Rend Lake shortly after 5 Monday evening for a report of a man who had entered the water from a boat and failed to resurface. Petty was recreating with his family at the time of the incident. After an extensive search of the area on Monday evening, rescue personnel were forced to suspend the search until early Tuesday morning.

Crews continued a search of the area using side scan sonar equipped boats and public safety divers Tuesday and located Petty’s body in 11 feet of water. Initial investigation of the incident has revealed that alcohol is expected to have played a factor into this tragic death. An autopsy is scheduled today. The investigation into the incident is ongoing with the Franklin County Coroner’s Office and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

The following agencies responded and provided assistance on this incident: Rend Lake Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Sesser Fire Protection District, Benton Fire Department, Abbott EMS and the Franklin County Emergency Management Special Operations Dive Team.

The coroner asks that you keep the Petty Family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

No further information will be released at this time.