A Denville man drowned Wednesday night after his kayak overturned in Cedar Lake, triggering a large-scale search by emergency crews from multiple agencies.
Ronnie McLeod, 55, entered the water around 8:20 p.m. after his kayak flipped near the lake’s center, according to Denville police. Witnesses told dispatchers he struggled briefly before going under and never resurfaced.
Police officers arrived within minutes and coordinated a full-scale response with assistance from surrounding departments. Divers entered the water while boats and drones scanned the Cedar Lake area.
Search teams recovered McLeod’s body at 9:45 p.m. near the area where he was last seen. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators said the drowning appears to be accidental, though the investigation remains open. A post-mortem examination will determine the official cause of death.
The response included Denville police, fire and Office of Emergency Management, along with the Morris County Sheriff’s Emergency Services Unit, Parsippany Rescue and Recovery Unit, Parsippany Fire District 5, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Morris County Swift Water and Dive Rescue Team, and the New Jersey State Police Marine Unit.
Cedar Lake sits in a residential section of Denville and attracts boaters during warmer months. Authorities did not say whether McLeod wore a life jacket at the time of the incident.
Police asked anyone with information to contact Det. Frank Jackson at (973) 627-4900 ext. 377 or email [email protected].
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