The Vermilion County sheriff's office (Thursday) reported a drowning victim’s body was recovered from a pond. The body of 71-yr-old Robert Porter Jr. was recovered from the private pond in Hillery about 2:30 in the afternoon. The pond is behind the victim’s home.

Sheriff’s police say no foul play is suspected. An autopsy was scheduled.

Sheriff's deputies were called to the old strip mine pond on Porter's property Wednesday morning. Police had reported Porter, his fiancé and a 2-yr-old child were in a small boat when the motor failed. Mr. Porter stood up to try to fix the motor, which caused the boat to capsize and all three occupants to fall into the water.

Porter's fiance was able to get the child back to shore and call for help. Porter went underwater.

The sheriff's Underwater Search and Rescue Team searched the pond, with help from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police and the Vermilion County Emergency Management Agency.

94.1 WGFA