UPDATE: (Rock County Sheriff’s Dept. press release) On March 19, 2021, law enforcement and fire personnel continued searching the northwest corner of Bowers Lake where the two deceased golden retrievers were recovered on March 18, 2021. At 11:08 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office Drone Team spotted an anomaly in the water on the drone feed. Sheriff’s Office personnel on shore directed a Sheriff’s Office Recreational Safety Deputy in a boat to the area of interest. At 11:43 a.m., two divers from the Sheriff’s Office Rescue Team confirmed locating a body in Bowers Lake. Divers worked with the Medical Examiner to recover the body. This incident is considered closed. The identification of the body will be made by the Medical Examiner. This was a difficult search. We appreciate the contributions of so many who helped.
Banner note: Per the Gazette, “Bowers Lake is northwest of Storrs Lake.” Per this link, https://www.fishidy.com/map/us/wisconsin/bowers-lake Bowers Lake is 8 acres with a maximum depth of only 6 feet. Storrs Lake is described as being 20 acres with a maximum depth of 25 feet. It would seem that the shallow depth stated for Bowers Lake would make it more likely to have still been holding significant ice, but could it raise a question as to whether the person could have had a medical incident?
UPDATE – 3/18 @ 2:40 p.m. – MILTON, Wis. — Officials with the Rock County Sheriff’s Office are calling their search for a hiker who went missing Wednesday morning a recovery mission.
Kevin Doyle, 66, was last seen leaving his home in Milton at 9:30 a.m. Officials said he was headed to Storrs Lake Park with his two yellow Labrador retrievers, Holly and Frank. Authorities said the two dogs were found dead in a lake at the park Thursday morning.
UPDATE – 3/18 @ 12:39 p.m. – Apparently sufficient volunteers have responded.
UPDATE – 3/18 @ 11:47 a.m. – The following is being posted on the Rock County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page:
Despite extensive search effects to this point, Mr. Kevin Doyle has not been located. Another foot search of the area will be conducted this afternoon at 12:30 pm. Volunteers who are physically prepared and equipped to search the cold, wet, and windy weather conditions, in the difficult terrain of the park are welcome to join in this effort. Parking for volunteers with be at 257 Sunnyside.
If this search does not produce results, another foot search will be conducted later in the day. If volunteers have SPECIALIZED training or equipment, they should directly contact Sergeant Shena Kohler at 608-290-6135.”
(Rock County Sheriff’s Office press release) On March 17, 2021, at 1:35 p.m., a Rock County Sheriff’s Office deputy, conducting a routine security check at Storrs Lake Park in Milton, took a report that 66-year-old Kevin
J. Doyle was missing. Prior to the report, family members had been searching for Kevin
for approximately two hours. According to family, Kevin left his residence in Milton at
approximately 9:30 a.m. to hike the trails in Storrs Lake Park, which he does most days.
Kevin had not returned home as of 11:30 a.m., which led family members to start
searching for him.
During the ensuing hours, Sheriff’s Office personnel were assisted by individuals from
Milton Fire Department, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Milton Police
Department, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit, Wisconsin K9 SOS, and
WAMSTAR in searching the greater Storrs Lake area. Search efforts included grid
searching on foot, vehicle patrols, neighborhood canvas, ATVs, UTVs, drones with
thermal capabilities, and several canines. The search suspended in the late evening
hours and will resume tomorrow morning.
Kevin is 5’6” tall, 170 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. He has a white mustache and
goatee. He was wearing a blue jacket with khaki pants. Kevin left home with his two yellow
Labrador retrievers. His vehicle is still parked at Storrs Lake Park. If you have any
information as to Kevin’s whereabouts, please contact 608-757-2244.
Banner note: Storrs Lake Park is located north of Highway 59 and east of Highway 26, north of the ethanol plant in Milton.
