Water Patrol authorities at the Lake of the Ozarks claims that a man who died while in their custody either fell overboard or jumped into the water and drowned. Officers claim that his life jacket slipped off after he fell into the lake.

20-year-old Brandon Ellingson had been arrested for boating while intoxicated and was being taken back to shore for booking when officers claim that he stood up and fell or jumped into the water. Sergeant Paul Reinsch claims that a life jacket was put on the prisoner but that it “fell off” when he hit the water. Officers argue that they were unable to save the handcuffed man from drowning and that Ellingson was in the 80-foot-deep section of the lake.

“You know what, he was perfect. He was handsome, he was very very smart,” grandmother Gloria Ellingson said. “He could joke with you. He could be on any level. There wasn’t anybody like him.”

Reinsch is unsure whether or not a sobriety test was performed on Ellingson, as there were no other witnesses other than the one patrol officer who arrested him. Officers sometimes carry breathalyzer devices but they are usually performed once the person is taken to jail.

Divers located the body just before noon on Sunday. The family is potentially pursuing a lawsuit.