Coroner IDs man who drowned in Great Miami River

The Butler County Coroner’s Office has identified a man found dead by drowning on Tuesday in the Great Miami River.

Fritznel Antoine Dean, 27, of Middletown died after entering the river to swim, officials said. The coroner’s office ruled his cause of death as an accidental drowning.

Crews called for a possible drowning recovered the man’s body Tuesday night from the Great Miami River.

Boats were launched into the water about 5:30 p.m. in the area around the north part of Verity Parkway and Access 2, according to the Middletown Division of Police, following a report of a man who was swimming across the river and went underwater but never resurfaced.

The man’s body was discovered about 9:30 p.m., according to Shelby Quinlivan, city spokesperson.

Franklin, Monroe and Butler County Sheriff’s water rescue units took part in the search operation.

About the Authors