Breaking News: Body found in Pere Marquette Lake

From a LOCAL NEWS Station

A Mason County car ferry worker spotted the body of a Ludington man missing since last December.
That person discovered the body floating in water near the S.S. Spartan car ferry off the waters of Lake Michigan in Ludington, according to police.
Officers say the Lake Michigan Car Ferry employee spotted the body of Gabriel Michael Smith just after 3 p.m. Thursday.
Police say a medical examiner identified Smith's body -- crews then took it to a Grand Rapids hospital for an autopsy.
Police say Smith was reported missing December 10th and was last seen walking on Foster Street near James Street in the early morning hours of December 8th.
We'll have the latest on this story tonight on 9&10 News at Eleven.

My prayers go out to this family. My aunt is a very close friend of family and I know that they have been very worried about him.

On The Move wrote:

My prayers go out to this family. My aunt is a very close friend of family and I know that they have been very worried about him.

Yes, we are family friends as well and now they can have the peace of mind and have closure! RIP Gabe :*

RIP Gabe. My thoughts and prayers are with all that knew and loved you.

There is much more info in my hometown newspaper!

Body found in PM Lake is Gabe Smith
LDN Staff -

Thursday, March 27, 2008

A body found in Pere Marquette Lake today has been identified as missing Ludington man Gabe Smith.
He was found by a Lake Michigan Carferry employee just after 3 p.m.

The employee noticed something floating in the water while working on the stern of the SS Spartan and contacted police when he realized it was a body.

Police were at the carferry docks this afternoon, in a boat on the water and on shore, and had taped off a portion of the area behind the SS Spartan.

Later in the day Smith was identified by photographs and identification that was on him.

The Ludington Fire Department, Mason County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Coast Guard, Station Ludington, and Michigan State Police, Hart office assisted Ludington police at the scene.

Ludington Police Chief Mark Barnett said the carferry employee who called 911 when he found something suspicious allowed them to make the recovery and identification and bring closure to the family.

Smith's parents were notified of the recovery with the assistance of the Mason County Victim's Assistance Unit, and have requested privacy during this time.

Smith had been missing since Saturday, December 8.

Watch for details here as this story breaks, and for the full story see Friday's Ludington Daily News.

My condolences to the family. :o(

You know whats crazy...me and a couple of my friends were down at the boat docks like the day before at around 2 in the morning bored and i suppose the body was like right at the stern, right where we were walking around at! man im so glad i didnt find it. creepy to think that his body was right there the whole time we were walking around by the back of the boat. I couldent believe it when my friend told me.

My prayers go out to the family.

Thoughts and prayers to family and friends.

neazy wrote:

You know whats crazy...me and a couple of my friends were down at the boat docks like the day before at around 2 in the morning bored and i suppose the body was like right at the stern, right where we were walking around at! man im so glad i didnt find it. creepy to think that his body was right there the whole time we were walking around by the back of the boat. I couldent believe it when my friend told me.
My prayers go out to the family.

You are now concidered a Person of Interest..Please contact youu local Police Dept..We need to speak with you!

Ludington Police Official wrote:

<quoted text>
You are now concidered a Person of Interest..Please contact youu local Police Dept..We need to speak with you!

Real funny. Almost forgot to laugh. Ludington Police in Chevy Chase, MD.

How sad. May God watch over this family.

Hershel wrote:

<quoted text>
Real funny. Almost forgot to laugh. Ludington Police in Chevy Chase, MD.

Yeah real funny. NOT. Learn to spell.

I meant the spelling part for LPO.

Pray all you want he is dead...where was your Great God then?

Mi is a dead end wrote:

Pray all you want he is dead...where was your Great God then?

He was busy trying to save the souls of the cold hearted and inhumane.

My prayers and condolences to the family and friends of this young man. Such a tragic loss. While it will not ease the pain, at least he has been found and can be properly laid to rest.

God Bless.