Updated: 2:18 p.m. on Aug. 18, 2026

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office identified the man found dead in Lake Michigan as 68-year-old James Mueller. 

Updated: 8:29 p.m. on Aug. 15, 2026

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help identifying a man found dead in Lake Michigan near shore, between South Shore Park and Bay View Park on Saturday morning, Aug. 15.

A witness called 911 at 9:42 a.m. after spotting the man in the water about 30 feet from shore, according to the sheriff's office. He was pulled from the water, and life-saving measures were unsuccessful.

He was pronounced dead at 10:15 a.m.

Fingerprint analysis and other identification methods have not been able to identify him. He is described as an older white man, believed to be between 55 and 65, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 219 pounds, with white or gray hair and a matching goatee.

He had a urinary catheter and a scar consistent with prior heart surgery and may have had a pacemaker.

He was wearing black and white Nike running shoes, dark blue Adidas athletic pants with white stripes, a dark green baseball hat and a light blue retro Brewers t-shirt when he was found.

Anyone with information is asked to call (414) 278-4788.

Published: 12:29 p.m. on Aug. 15, 2026

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a man was pulled from the water at Bay View Park in St. Francis on Saturday, August 15.

MCSO officials and local fire departments were called to the scene shortly after 9:40 a.m. after a passerby on the oak leaf trail reported a body in the water roughly 30 feet off the shore. 

Crews began an active water rescue, and the man was recovered and pronounced dead at 10:15 a.m. 

Officials are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.

A standard security perimeter has been set up around the scene and parks visitors are asked to respect the boundaries to allow investigators to work.