Police recover body of 9-year-old Alex Ottley in Lake Erie

Police have located the body of a nine-year-old boy who was swept into Lake Erie last month.

Alex Ottley went into the water on Feb. 15 in an attempt to save his eight-year-old friend who had been taken in by a big wave at Peacock Point.

Alex’s 10-year-old sister was with the boys and ran up to the roadway to flag down a vehicle for help.

Police say a man and woman from the car went out onto the ice and were able to rescue the eight-year-old boy but could not find Alex.

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), along with members of the U.S. Coast Guard, searched the water and shoreline for days following his disappearance.

Rough waters, high winds, and icy conditions hindered attempts to locate his body but police continued their efforts to return to the water daily until the search was eventually called off about two weeks later.

On Tuesday, police were called back to Peacock Point around 2 p.m. after a resident was looking out their back window and spotted something in the lake “causing them concern.”

An OPP helicopter flew over the area to confirm there was something in the water. The Marine Unit was sent out and officers quickly recovered the body of the nine-year-old child.

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