We regret to inform you of the apparent drowning death of Daruba McFarlane, a 21-year old man from Stone Mountain, GA.
According to Hall County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Deputy Nicole Bailes, authorities received a 911 call around 7 PM on Sunday, September 6, 2015, about a possible drowning at Big Creek Park on Lake Lanier.
The caller said his friend had attempted to swim across a cove near Big Creek Park. After swimming about 25 yards, Daruba McFarlane became distressed and went underwater. He did not resurface.
The Hall County Fire Department dive team conducted a preliminary search with no success.
At about 9 PM Sunday night, Deputy Bailes informed us that the search would resume on Monday morning. However, just before conditions forced the dive team to stop the search, Daruba McFarlane’s body was found about 25 yards from shore in less than 20 feet of water.
An autopsy is scheduled to be conducted on Tuesday. Foul play is not suspected.
We are proud of the dive team from the Hall County Sheriff’s Office for their extraordinary efforts and to all those who assisted in the recovery of Mr. McFarlane.
We offer our condolences to the family of Daruba McFarlane and to his friends for their loss.
