(Berrien County, MI) - A body recovered from Lake Michigan a few miles outside New Buffalo has been identified.

 

Jason Ryno, 48, of Joliet, Illinois, was identified from a fingerprint, according to the Grand Beach/Michiana Police Department.

 

Police Chief Ryan Layman said how and where the man entered the lake, and the circumstances leading up to his death were unknown, but the case remained under investigation.

 

No light was shed on the cause of death, but foul play is not suspected.

 

Layman was still waiting for the results of an autopsy before commenting on how long the man had been in the water. However, he also revealed the man had not been previously reported missing.

 

According to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, emergency responders at about noon on September 27 were called to the 4000 block of Lakeshore Drive on a report of a body floating in the water. The body was described as a white or light skin black male with a medium build and about six feet in height.

 

The body was recovered with help from the New Buffalo Township Fire Department and Michiana Shores Fire Department.

 

Layman said the South Bend Police Department Crime Lab was able to use a fingerprint to make the identification.