Sheriff's department investigates death of woman found in Shell Lake

The Washburn County Sheriff’s department is investigating the death of a 53-year-old woman found floating in Shell Lake Wednesday.

According to a news release issued by Sheriff Terry Dryden, a fisherman who was landing at Shell Lake Boat Landing ran to the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office across the street from the boat landing, and reported that he had found a woman floating in the water.

Washburn County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the scene along with the Shell Lake Police Department and found Kim Leverty of New Richmond, Wis., lying face up in the water by the dock at the Shell Lake Boat Landing.

Washburn County Coroner Karen Baker pronounced Leverty dead at the scene. She was transported for an autopsy to the Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.

Neither the Shell Lake Police Department nor the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office believes foul play was involved; however, the autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

This case remains under investigation by the Shell Lake Police Department and the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office.

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