Hillsboro man drowns at Little Cultus Lake after falling out of fishing boat; father-in-law makes it to shore

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Hillsboro man on a camping and fishing trip with his father-in-law at Little Cultus Lake drowned earlier this week after both men lost their balance and fell out of their boat, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said Friday.

The two men were unable to climb back into the boat and became separated while swimming back to shore on Monday, Sergeant Jason Wall said.

The father-in-law was able to return to the campground on foot several hours later and learned his son-in-law, Kent Christopher, 64, was not there. Wall said the man drove to the Cascade Lakes Highway to acquire cellphone service and called Deschutes County 911 dispatchers around 7:35 p.m.

Deputies arrived and met with the family member shortly after 8 p.m. and were led to the campsite. While deputies searched on foot along the lake’s shore for the missing man, a deputy with a drone also responded to the scene.

Around 9:25 p.m., Christopher’s body was found in the water with the use of the drone, Wall said. Marine deputies with DCSO Search and Rescue were dispatched and were able to recover the man’s body that night.

“Deputies examined the body and do not believe foul play was involved in the drowning,” the sergeant added.