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TOWN OF MONROE, WI (WSAU-WAOW) A 72-year-old man drowned in Lake Petenwell, in Adams County, while trying to rescue an injured eagle.
Robert R. Marti of Necedah went missing after leaving his home around 5 p.m. on Jun. 23. A family member reported him missing to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office around 1:01 p.m. the next day.
The family says Marti had gone fishing near the boat launch on Browndeer Drive on Jun. 23 and spotted an injured eagle in the water. He called the Wisconsin DNR and a raptor rescue facility, and both said they would respond the next morning. Marti returned home and told a family member he was going to rescue the injured eagle himself.
Deputies found Marti’s locked vehicle at the boat launch, along with equipment that could be used to rescue an injured animal. Officials used drones, watercraft and a ground search to find him. Marti’s body was found around 6:15 p.m. on Jun. 24 just off shore. Investigators found a large fishing net and eagle feathers near him. He was not wearing a life jacket.
The investigation revealed Marti became stuck in underwater debris just off shore and drowned.
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