Missing PA Fisherman Corey Zearfoss ID’d As Body Recovered From Lake Erie

LAWRENCE PARK, PA. (THECOUNT) — Corey Zearfoss, 48, was identified Tuesday as the fisherman whose body was recovered from Lake Erie, bringing a weeks-long search to a tragic conclusion, according to Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook. Zearfoss had been missing since July 8 after failing to return from a fishing trip on the lake.

Lawrence Park is located along the Lake Erie shoreline in northwestern Pennsylvania, east of the City of Erie and near the New York state border. The recovery occurred near the Lawrence Park Fishing Club off East Lake Road.

Authorities said jet skiers discovered the body at approximately 5:10 p.m. Sunday in Lake Erie.

Lawrence Park police officers, firefighters, and emergency personnel responded to the shoreline near the Lawrence Park Golf Club and the former GE Picnic Grove after receiving reports of the discovery.

According to officials, Zearfoss had been missing for nearly two weeks after failing to return from a fishing trip on July 8.

During the initial search effort, authorities located his boat in Canadian waters near Long Point, Ontario.

The discovery prompted a large-scale international search involving both United States and Canadian authorities.

The U.S. Coast Guard reported searching approximately 2,756 square nautical miles during a 60-hour operation before suspending active search efforts on July 10.

Search crews from both sides of the international border utilized aircraft, vessels, and other resources while attempting to locate the missing fisherman.

Following the suspension of Coast Guard operations, family members, friends, volunteers, and law enforcement agencies continued efforts to find Zearfoss.

Community members remained hopeful that additional information would emerge as search efforts continued along portions of the Lake Erie shoreline.

On Sunday evening, those efforts came to a tragic conclusion when jet skiers spotted a body in the water near Lawrence Park.

The remains were recovered and transported for examination and identification.

Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook confirmed Tuesday that the recovered individual was Zearfoss.

Authorities have not publicly released additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding his disappearance or whether further investigative findings are expected.

Lake Erie, the fourth-largest of North America’s Great Lakes, spans portions of Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada, making search operations particularly complex when incidents occur near international waters.

Officials have not announced whether additional information will be released following completion of the investigation.

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