SWANVILLE — Maine Game Wardens recovered the body of a missing Oregon man in Swan Lake at approximately 2:45 p.m., Monday, June 14, 2021.

Christopher N. Friedrich, age 41 of Springfield, Oregon, was located in approximately 30 feet of water about a half mile north of the Swan Lake boat launch by Maine Warden Service divers, who were slowly being towed along the bottom of the lake by the dive boat.

The recovery marked a culmination of six days of actively searching the lake for the missing man. Game Wardens utilized sonar, divers, aircraft, and Maine Warden Service cadaver scent search dogs in locating Friedrich. The Maine State Police Dive Team also assisted in the search, as well as a Maine Marine Patrol airplane.

Friedrich was first reported missing on Tuesday, June 8 to the Waldo County Sherriff’s Department around 4 p.m. by his girlfriend. Working with Waldo County Sheriff’s Office, Maine Game Wardens were able a locate and interview a camp owner who had seen a kayak floating upside down on the lake Sunday morning, June 6. The kayak was later traced back to Friedrich, and Friedrich’s vehicle was located at the Swanville Boat Launch. Friedrich last contact with family members was Saturday evening June 5.

Wardens focused their search near the area when the kayak was found, and mapped out an area to search based upon the recorded wind direction the day he went missing. Game Wardens searched for six days before finding him today. Friedrich was transported to the Ripasta Funeral Home in Belfast.

The Maine Warden Service was assisted by the Maine State Police dive team, the Waldo County Sheriff’s office, and Maine Marine Patrol. Also, numerous lake camp owners helped the warden service by allowing them to utilize dock space to moor boats overnight; and the Swan Lake Grocery store was also very accommodating to searchers during the six-day search, according to the Game Wardens, in a news release.

June 9, 2021: Search in progress for suspected drowning victim at Swan Lake

SWANVILLE — Maine Game Wardens are searching for a suspected drowning victim on Swan Lake, in Swanville, using sidescan sonar in an area of Swan Lake where a camp owner discovered an overturned kayak and some personal belongings.

Christopher N. Friedrich, age 41 of Springfield, Oregon was reported missing Tuesday afternoon to the Waldo County Sherriff’s Department around 4 p.m. by his girlfriend.

Working with Waldo County Sheriff’s Office, Maine Game Wardens were able to locate a local camp owner who had seen a kayak floating upside down on the lake Sunday morning, according to Wardens, in a news release. The kayak was later traced back to Friedrich, and Friedrich’s vehicle was located at the Swanville Boat Launch, the release said.

Friedrich last contact with family members was Saturday evening, June 5.

Currently, the Warden Service Dive Team is searching an area approximately ½ mile north of the boat launch on Swan Lake.

This information will be updated when more information becomes available.