Pittsboro, NC – A Chapel Hill man drowned Monday, June 15, 2026, at Jordan Lake after entering the water to retrieve a drifting boat.
At approximately 11:24 a.m., Chatham County emergency communications received a report of a possible drowning near a lake access area off Martha’s Chapel Church Road in the vicinity of 605 Farrington Point Road.
Authorities identified the victim as De Gui Yuan, 44, of Chapel Hill.
According to information gathered during the investigation, Yuan and three friends had been 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 vessel or return safely to shore.
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.
Yuan’s body was recovered early Monday afternoon.
Yuan was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with Mr. Yuan’s family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time,” Chief Deputy Steve Maynor said.
As summer recreation activity continues on Jordan Lake and other waterways, authorities encourage boaters and swimmers to wear a properly fitted life jacket whenever they are on the water.