Stafford Man Drowns In Abel Lake: Sheriff's Office

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — A 20-year-old man drowned in Abel Lake late Tuesday afternoon in an incident that appears to be a "tragic accident," according to the Stafford County Sheriff's office. The victim has been identified as Bernard Otoo of Stafford County.

At around 5:50 p.m. Tuesday, the Stafford County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call regarding a drowning at Abel Lake near Kellogg Mill Road. Deputies and Fire and Rescue personnel responded to the scene and determined that a male had jumped from a rock into the water, briefly resurfaced, and then went back under the water.

The Sheriff’s Office Dive Team and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Team in conjunction with Fire and Rescue boats began searching the area for the victim. Deputies at the scene interviewed the group of friends that had accompanied the victim to the lake.

At about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Otoo was located in the lake and pronounced dead.

"Detectives are continuing the investigation, but the incident appears to be a tragic accident," the sheriff's office said in a statement Wednesday.