Man who drowned in Horseshoe Lake while evading police identified as Woodland resident

LONGVIEW — The Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who drowned in Woodland’s Horseshoe Lake last week.

The body of Yegor Ventaminovic Demenko, 37, of Woodland, was recovered from the lake Thursday morning. Woodland police say Demenko fled when approached by an officer and instead jumped into the lake.

Demenko died as a result of asphyxia by drowning, and his death was ruled an accident, according to the coroner’s office.

It is unclear why Demenko fled from police.

Woodland police Officer Alex Olson approached Demenko around midnight Thursday at the park, which closes at dusk.

Demenko  ran further into the park and then into the lake, where he called for help after swimming halfway across the lake, Woodland police saidin a press release.

Olsen jumped into the lake but was unable to locate him. Demenko’s body was recovered about five hours later.