Cause of death remains unknown for man found on Lake Keowee shoreline

The body of a 54-year-old man was found Friday afternoon along the Lake Keowee shoreline in Seneca, according to a release from the Oconee County Coroner's Office.

The man was identified as Elmer C. Church, Jr. of Westminster, Coroner Karl Addis said in an email Saturday. Personal items near his body suggested Church might have  planned to go fishing and camping in the area, Addis said in another statement Sunday.

Church was discovered just before 4 p.m. Friday at Stamp Creek Landing. He appeared to have died earlier in the afternoon, Addis said.

"No obvious fatal injuries were observed," Addis said.

An autopsy took place Sunday but proved inconclusive, the coroner said.

"Toxicology analysis will be required before a final cause of death can be determined as part of the investigation," Addis said.

More on Lake Keowee deaths:Lake Keowee deaths: How to stay safe in Oconee County's deadliest body of water

Lake Keowee has a long history as a deadly body of water, and one spot is the worst

Lake Keowee is the deadliest body of water among others in Oconee County, according to statistics from the Oconee County Coroner’s Office.

Deaths at the lake have made up more than a third of all water-related deaths in the county within the past 25 years, Coroner’s Office data shows.

Anna B. Mitchell contributed to this report. Check back with The Greenville News for updates as more information becomes available.

More on Lake Hartwell deaths:Hartwell is one of the most-visited lakes in the US. That's made it one of SC's deadliest