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Man found dead in North Akron home is identified
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Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
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Hey, somebody's gotta stick up for the Browns
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Singletary update
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Silverdome Potentially SOLD!
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Colloquium at University of Akron
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
Report from coroner says Matthew Shiplett, 20, trying to swim across section. Undertow possible
Published on Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008
By Katie Byard
Beacon Journal staff writer
One moment, Matthew Shiplett was swimming with friends; the next, he was gone.
That's what a friend told Shiplett's family after the 20-year-old drowned Sunday at Berlin Lake in Portage County's Deerfield Township.
''We'd love to know what happened,'' said the Akron man's grandfather, Paul Shiplett Sr.
''I talked with one of his friends. He just said, 'Suddenly he wasn't there.' ''
A Kent firefighter, who was among those at the scene Sunday, said the younger Shiplett may have gotten caught in an undertow, Paul Shiplett said.
Divers recovered Matthew Shiplett's body about 3 p.m. Sunday, after a few hours of searching, Portage County Coroner Roger Marcial said.
Shiplett was attempting to swim across a portion of the lake when he drowned, according to a report from the coroner's office.
His body was found in about 10 feet of water 30 to 40 yards off the shore, near Edgewater Boulevard, the report said. Marcial said authorities received the first emergency call about 10 a.m. Sunday.
The 20-year-old was in Portage County for a camping trip.
He had stopped by his grandfather's house last week to borrow a backpack.
The elder Shiplett said his grandson liked being outdoors.
''He just liked to go,'' Paul Shiplett said. ''He liked to be free.''
Matthew Shiplett had worked at a local restaurant, among other places, after graduating from Springfield High School. He was not employed at the time of his death.
''He was very outgoing. You know, very friendly,'' his grandfather said. ''He was always coming to visit me. We'd sit and watch TV. He was just a good kid.''
Matthew Shiplett is survived by his mother, Suzanne Sohar of Akron; father Paul Shiplett II, who lives in Akron with the older Shiplett; and brothers Max and Adam Shiplett and sister Skye Shiplett, all of Akron.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Dunn-Quigley Funeral Home, 811 Grant St., Akron.
Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.
By Katie Byard
Beacon Journal staff writer
Get the full article here.
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