Authorities recover drowning victim at Jordan Lake

Pittsboro, NC – The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, working in conjunction with other agencies on Sunday, August 6, recovered the body of a drowning victim who was boating and swimming at Jordan Lake. The victim has been identified as Donald Semler, 73, of San Antonio, Texas.

Mr. Semler was swimming in the lake near his boat, in the vicinity of Poe’s Ridge Boat Ramp, on Sunday afternoon. Members of his party lost sight of him during the outing. The boat ramp is located at 935 Jordan Dam Rd, Moncure, NC.

Mr. Semler, who was in the area visiting family in Holly Springs, was located after a search effort in the area where he went missing.

No foul play is suspected in the incident.

Other responding agencies include the N.C. Wildlife Commission, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chatham County Emergency Management, Moncure Fire Department, and Lee County Emergency Services.

Updated 8.7.23 at 16:55 EDT.