FLOWERY BRANCH — A Flowery Branch man found dead Sept. 23 died from an apparent accidental drowning, authorities said.

Michael Gilmer, 61, was found by authorities near Sunrise Cove Marina off of Flat Creek Road in western Hall County.

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office said the body was badly decomposed when found by deputies.

Gilmer’s body was sent to the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office for the autopsy. The man’s boat is now almost completely underwater, according to the Lake Lanier Association.

“There is gasoline, oil, batteries, a propane tank, as well as a lot of debris on this vessel now leaching or floating into the water,” Lake Lanier Association Executive Director Joanna Cloud previously told The Times of Gainesville.