BY TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR

A Town of Bradley man, 83-year-old Leroy H. Rupnow, was found deceased in Lake Nokomis about 30 yards off shore from his residence on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
The man was discovered by law enforcement and pronounced dead at the scene by Lincoln County Coroner Valerie Caylor.
Concern over Rupnow’s whereabouts began Monday evening, July 24, after out-of-town family members had been unable to reach him for more than 24 hours. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) was asked to do a welfare check on the man at his home. Deputies responded “but were unable to make contact with Leroy,” a press release from the LCSO said.
“The residence and surrounding wooded area, along with the shoreline of Lake Nokomis, were searched by deputies as well as a K9 unit,” the release said. “A K9 track indicated that Mr. Rupnow may potentially have walked up to and perhaps even into the lake, though Mr. Rupnow was unable to be located.”
A Silver Alert for Rupnow was issued early Tuesday morning but was canceled not long afterward when his body was discovered.
“Day shift deputies searching the area with the benefit of added daylight” spotted an “abnormality” about 30 yards offshore and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office drone team helped them confirm “that it was in fact the body of Leroy H. Rupnow in the water.”
Members of the Tomahawk Fire Department also assisted on scene.
Foul play is not suspected; however, the incident remains under joint-investigation by the LCSO and the Lincoln County Coroner’s Office.