Mountain Lake teen drowns in Cottonwood County lake

Julie Buntjer, The Daily Globe, Worthington, Minn.
·1 min read

Apr. 19—MOUNTAIN LAKE — The body of 15-year-old Skyler Goulette, Mountain Lake, was recovered from Eagle Lake, near Mountain Lake at approximately 11:25 a.m. Wednesday.

Goulette was canoeing with a family member on Eagle Lake when he reportedly jumped into the lake to retrieve a lost oar. He attempted to swim back to the canoe, however the wind had pushed the canoe farther away from him.

Goulette then attempted to swim to shore. The family member lost sight of the teen as they drifted farther apart. There were no life jackets in the canoe.

The Cottonwood County Sheriff's Office received the call of the missing teen at approximately 6:43 p.m. Monday. A search of the shoreline and lake was conducted, and was suspended at approximately 2 a.m. Tuesday.

Searchers returned to the lake at daylight Tuesday and suspended it again at 9 p.m.

Goulette was found Wednesday in an area of the lake that was approximately 4.5 feet deep. His body was transported to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office.

Assisting in the search were the Cottonwood, Jackson, Blue Earth, Brown, Redwood and Renville county sheriff's offices, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota State Patrol, Mountain Lake Fire Department, Mountain Lake Ambulance, Windom Police Department and the Windom Fire Department.