Kaplan man drowns in Lanan Bay

A 25-year-old old Kaplan man was claimed by the waters of Lanan Bay Saturday, evening, July 25 at 5:10 p.m., according to the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Dept.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call after a swimmer went underwater and didn’t resurface. The couple had come to a camp on the lake for the weekend, deputies said.

According to a family member, Jose’ Luis Nunez had been drinking beer earlier in the day and then decided to go swimming with his wife. During their swim, he reportedly decided to swim the 300 yards across the bay. His wife said he swam about 200 yards and then she saw him splashing and fighting in the water. He went under and failed to resurface.

Divers from Desoto, Natchitoches and Sabine Parish Fire District recovered the body in about 10’-12’ of water at 8:32 p.m. that night.

The death was ruled as accidental drowning by Coroner Warren Founds, M.D.