Body of College Student Recovered After Canoeing Accident in Connecticut

Authorities in Connecticut have confirmed the recovery of a 20-year-old college student, Dominic Joseph Tocci, after a multi-day search following a canoeing accident on a local lake. Tocci was found in Hayward Lake in East Haddam on the afternoon of March 23.

The search began late Saturday night when reports came in around 9:50 p.m. indicating that Tocci’s canoe had capsized. While one other individual was rescued, Tocci was unfortunately not able to be saved.

Hayward Lake covers approximately 170 acres and is well-known as a boating location in this part of New England.

Efforts to find Tocci involved multiple agencies, including the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), local police, and various state authorities. They conducted surface and aerial searches as well as diving operations to locate him.

Tocci was a junior at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he was majoring in political science. The college described their shock upon learning about Tocci’s passing after the boating accident, stating, “The prayers of the entire Holy Cross community are with Dominic’s family, friends, classmates, professors, and everyone who knew him.”

In light of the tragedy, the school has made counseling services available to students, faculty, and staff who may need support. They also requested respect for Tocci’s family’s privacy during this difficult time.

Officials indicated that an investigation is ongoing, led by Encon police, while the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will ascertain the cause and manner of death. DEEP has also expressed condolences to Tocci’s family and acknowledged the hard work of the emergency responders involved in the search effort.