Coroner confirms body of former Columbia firefighter found in Lake Murray

Search crews found the body of a former Columbia firefighter in Lake Murray after he went missing while out on a boat last month, leaving his 4-year-old daughter alone in it.

Durham DeLaura’s body was found around 10 a.m. Sunday, according to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher. An autopsy will be performed on Wednesday to determine DeLaura’s cause of death.

The body was recovered not far from Sandy Beach near Panorama Point, according to Capt. Robert McCullough of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.

The body was discovered in the water by a Lexington County Sheriff’s Deputy operating one of the county’s marine patrol boats. The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources have been actively searching the area for DeLaura.

DeLaura was reported missing Aug. 25 after his young daughter was found drifting alone in the boat near Panorama Point, McCullough said.

DeLaura, 35, is believed to have fallen out of his 15-foot boat sometime that Friday evening after leaving Sandy Beach on Bundrick Island, officials have said.

The child was turned over to her mother.

Investigators are trying to determine whether alcohol played a factor. McCullough told The State newspaper last week that five empty beer cans were found on the boat, and another six cans remained in the cooler.

This story was originally published September 3, 2017 at 2:24 PM with the headline "Coroner confirms body of former Columbia firefighter found in Lake Murray."