Body found on beach identified

Manitowoc – The body found on the beach in the Town of Newton has been identified as Francis R. Knipp, according to a press release from the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s office.

Knipp, a 75-year-old Manitowoc man, was the lone occupant of a sailboat that was found capsized near Red Arrow Park Sept. 11. According to the press release, the Coroner’s Office has determined the cause of death to likely be drowning, but that is pending the return of toxicology reports.

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At this time, the Sheriff’s office has not found any indications of foul play and believe Knipp’s death was accidental.

Knipp’s body was found Tuesday afternoon after a citizen notified the Joint Dispatch Center of a body on the beach near 5717 Lakeshore Road in the Town of Newton. Manitowoc County Sheriff, Manitowoc Police Department, Silver Creek Fire Department and the Manitowoc County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene.