A Chapel Hill man drowned Monday at Jordan Lake after entering the water to retrieve a drifting boat, according to the Chatham County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities identified the victim as De Gui Yuan. He was 44.
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"Our thoughts and condolences are with Mr. Yuan's family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time," Chief Deputy Steve Maynor said.
Around 11:24 a.m. Monday, Chatham County emergency communications received a report of a possible drowning near a lake access area off Martha's Chapel Church Road near 605 Farrington Point Road.
The sheriff’s office said Yuan and three friends were boating on Jordan Lake when they beached their boat along the shoreline. The boat later began drifting away from shore unattended. Yuan entered the water to retrieve it, but encountered difficulty and was unable to reach the boat or return safely to shore.
Authorities recovered Yuan’s body early Monday afternoon. He was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident, according to the sheriff’s office.
Multiple agencies responded to the incident, including the Chatham County Sheriff's Office, North Chatham Fire Department, FirstHealth EMS, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Authorities encourage boaters and swimmers to wear a properly fitted life jacket whenever they are on the water.
In July 2025, four people drowned in Chatham County. It included drownings at both Jordan Lake and Harris Lake.