An underwater search in Lake Dillon turned up what is believed to be the body of former state Sen. Bryan Sullivant.
Sullivant, 51, was last seen Saturday night in his dinghy headed for his sailboat moored at Frisco Bay Marina, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office said in a release.
Searchers found the dinghy attached to the boat on Sunday, but it had capsized.
“It was attached to his boat, so presumably he made it to his boat,” said Summit County Undersheriff Derek Woodman. Searchers speculate that Sullivant somehow fell into the cold water.
Summit County Dive Rescue searched the area around his boat with underwater cameras Sunday evening without success and resumed the search this morning.
Crews discovered what is believed to be a body midday today, though it hadn’t been pulled from the water or identified as of noon.
Sullivant went out to eat with friends in Frisco on Saturday evening, said Woodman.
“There had been some alcohol consumed during the night, but we don’t know if that was a contributing factor or not,” Woodman said.
Woodman said authorities have no reason to suspect foul flay in Sullivant’s disappearance. “And there’s no reason to believe he was despondent or suicidal,” Woodman said.
The Republican lawmaker resigned his state Senate seat in 2000 amidst allegations that he misused campaign contributions.
Sullivant lives alone in the Gold Hill subdivision near Breckenridge.
