23-year-old found dead in Lake Michigan after swimming

Memorial Day weekend ended in tragedy in Van Buren Township, Michigan, when a young man was found dead after drowning in a nearby lake.

The 23-year-old, identified by FOX affiliate WJBK as Patrick Todd, was swimming in Belleville Lake while visiting family on Monday, May 27, when he disappeared. Van Buren Fire Chief David Mcinally told the news agency that after receiving the call that Todd was missing, emergency crews searched a 200- to 300-square-foot radius of the area around 4 p.m. local time.

“They went into the water. One came back and the other one lost the trail. So that’s what they’re looking for now,” Mcinally added.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Hours later, divers recovered Todd’s body from the water.

In a news release on Facebook, authorities said they believe Todd slipped underwater while wading near a sandbar at Firecracker Island, where he and three family members had docked their boat. The news release also said a member of Todd’s family attempted to rescue him after he went underwater.

Deputy Police Chief Joshua A. Monte told PEOPLE in a statement: “We have no further comment on this tragic incident other than that the entire Department of Public Safety would like to extend its deepest condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

According to ABC affiliate WXYZ, Todd’s untimely death is the third drowning accident to occur in Detroit over Memorial Day weekend.

Brian Butzin, who met Todd just hours before his drowning, told WJBK he was devastated by the tragic incident. “It touched me because I had just spent the afternoon with these strangers in the community,” he said.

Butzin added: “It’s just really sad, you know?”