COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – Coconut Creek police confirmed Thursday morning that a man who went missing over the weekend while riding his canoe on a lake has been found dead.
According to Coconut Creek police spokesman Scotty Leamon, someone who lives in the 3700 block of Coco Lake Drive called police around 8 a.m. and said that a man flying his drone over Coco Lake spotted a body floating in the water.
Police said they later pulled out the body of 60-year-old Daniel Potter, who went canoeing on Coco Lake Saturday night.
According to authorities, Potter was last seen getting into his canoe to go fishing on the lake, but he never returned.
Potter’s wife, Justine Potter, told Local 10 News earlier this week that her 14-year-old daughter called her after her husband failed to come home from the fishing trip.
“She called me and said, ‘Dad’s not home from the boat yet. He went fishing at 6 and he hasn’t come back.’ So I said, ‘What do you mean he hasn’t come back?’” Justine Potter said.
Rescue crews, dive teams and a helicopter all helped in the search. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission assisted in the recovery of the body.
Leamon said an autopsy will be performed.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Potter family during this difficult time,” he said.
A GoFundMe has been set up to support the family. Click here to access it and donate.