Man identified in lake Ferguson park drowning

FERGUSON, Mo. - The St. Louis County dive team pulled the body of a man out of January-Wabash Lake on Wednesday morning.

Ferguson Fire got a call around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday about a person in the water at the lake. Several agencies responded to begin a search and rescue effort. After more than three hours, the search was paused due to darkness and safety concerns.

"Last night, we tried to attempt to recover the body. Just with the darkness and not being able to see under the water, we figured today would be a better day," Ferguson Fire Dept. Chief John Hampton said Wednesday.

First responders returned to the lake that morning, scanned the water, and located the body. The dive team came in and helped recover it. Late Wednesday afternoon, authorities identified the drowned man as Joseph Miles of Overland.

He was 39.

"It makes us feel good because then the family has closure. That's very important to us as first responders," Chief Hampton said.

The county medical examiner was on site. Investigators with the Ferguson Police Department do not suspect foul play.