Fisherman dies in Clay County lake

Clay County authorities launched a death investigation after a man’s body was found Tuesday in the lake at Rocky Hollow Park near Excelsior Springs.

They identified the victim as Joe T. Holt, 78, of Kansas City, who went to the lake to fish. He apparently suffered cardiac problems, collapsed into the water and drowned. There were no signs of foul play, authorities said.

An Excelsior Springs couple fishing at the lake noticed him in the water but thought at first it was a tarp. After realizing it was a body, they called 911, according to Capt. Matt Hunter with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s deputies and county park rangers recovered the body, which was about 3 feet from the shore.

Holt owned property in the Liberty area, authorities said.

This story was originally published June 18, 2014 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Fisherman dies in Clay County lake."