Indiana Conservation Officers investigate drowning on Lake Wawasee

Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 5:09 PM

By Staff report

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a drowning that occurred Friday afternoon on Lake Wawasee in Kosciusko County.

At approximately 2 p.m., Kosciusko County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a missing individual last seen in the water near the sandbar. Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including dive teams from the Indiana Conservation Officers, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Warsaw Fire Department, Warsaw Police Department, Indiana State Police, and local fire departments.

Upon arrival, rescue personnel promptly located the victim in the water. Preliminary investigation indicates that Brian Conwell, 55, entered the water to set mooring augers when he began to struggle.

Turkey Creek Fire and Syracuse EMS attempted lifesaving measures, however, efforts were unsuccessful. Conwell was pronounced dead at the scene by the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office.

Indiana Conservation Officers have preliminarily classified the incident as an accidental drowning. An autopsy has been scheduled.

Indiana Conservation Officers were assisted at the scene by Turkey Creek Fire and EMS, Tippecanoe Fire Department, Warsaw Fire Department, Warsaw Police Department, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, and the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office.