Body washed up in Lake Mendota is missing man, police say

MADISON, Wis. — The body that washed up in Lake Mendota was identified as a man who had been missing from Middleton for more than a week, officials said.

Police identified the body as 74-year-old Mark Hoover, whose family had reported him missing on April 13.

Madison police said a city of Madison parks employee discovered the body shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday near the shoreline of Marshall Park on Allen Boulevard. The park is in the city of Madison but adjoins Middleton.

Officials said Hoover had a history of depression, and his death was likely a suicide, but it is unclear when he died.

Last week Hoover’s family offered a $3,000 reward for information helping Middleton police find him. Police had said Hoover didn’t take his wallet, cash or credit cards with him.

Madison and Middleton police and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office are working with the medical examiner’s office on the case, officials said.

Police said Hoover’s family has been notified of his death. Hoover’s vehicle was found Thursday afternoon a short distance away from where he was found, Middleton police said.

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