Man drowns two weeks before wedding day

GRAND RAPIDS (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A man from Warren died just two weeks short of his wedding day over the weekend, while celebrating with friends in Saugatuck.

The Allegan Co. Sheriff's Department says that 28-year-old Brandon Rotz had jumped into the Kalamazoo River near the cottage he was staying at early Saturday morning, attempting to swim across the river.

But he never showed up on the other side. Dive teams recovered his body underwater on Sunday morning, about 25 yards from the cabin he was trying to reach.

Sheriff's Deputies say the water temperature in the Kalamazoo River was just 54 degrees over the weekend, a level that charter fisherman Bill Bare says can overpower even the best of swimmers.

"If you've ever run your hand under a cold faucet or had to take a cold shower, or gone swimming as a kids when mom told you not to, you know it takes your breathe away," said Bare.

Dive teams found Rotz body fully clothed in the recovery, which some of Roth's friends say is suspicious.

"He was still wearing his hat, he still had his shoes on, he still had long pants on," said Lt. Mike Larsen of the Allegan County Sheriff's Office. "Still had his shoes on, still had some bracelets on."

Lt. Larsen says all the evidence suggests this was a devastating accident, and witnesses who were across the river on Saturday night only reaffirm that.

"(They) indicate that they heard a splash, then they then heard some people calling out, asking an individual if they were okay," said Lt. Larsen.

Investigators say those witnesses never heard a response from Rotz.

Friends of Rotz's say a wake and funeral is scheduled for later this week.