By Jerry Filmore
SHREWSBURY, MA — A Worcester man has been identified as the person whose body was recovered from Lake Quinsigamond following a search that began after authorities received a report of a possible drowning near Sunset Beach.
The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office identified the man as 31-year-old Yunio Ciromine Antonio Chaparro of Worcester, according to information released following the recovery.
The incident began Sunday, Aug. 9, at approximately 3:27 p.m., when the Shrewsbury Police Department received a 911 call reporting that a man might be drowning in Lake Quinsigamond near Sunset Beach.
Police officers and other emergency responders searched the lake and surrounding area Sunday using multiple resources, including boats, dive teams and drones.
Despite those efforts, crews were unable to locate the man before the search was suspended Sunday evening.
Emergency personnel returned to the lake Monday morning, Aug. 10, and resumed searching the area near Sunset Beach.
According to authorities, sonar technology was used to locate a person beneath the water during the late morning hours. Divers then entered the lake and recovered the man.
Chaparro was pronounced dead following the recovery.
The response brought together public safety agencies from Worcester, Shrewsbury and surrounding communities. Agencies involved in the search included the Shrewsbury Police and Fire departments, Worcester emergency personnel, regional dive teams, Massachusetts State Police and Massachusetts Environmental Police.
The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office later identified Chaparro as the person recovered from the lake.
Authorities have described the incident as an apparent drowning, but they have not publicly released information explaining how Chaparro entered the water or what occurred immediately before the 911 call.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Local Connection
Lake Quinsigamond sits along the Worcester-Shrewsbury border and is used throughout the year by residents from both communities for swimming, boating, rowing and other recreational activities.
For Worcester residents, the incident has a direct connection both through Chaparro’s residency and through the location. Emergency responders from Worcester were among the agencies that assisted with the search and recovery effort.
Authorities have not announced any broader restrictions or changes to public access at Lake Quinsigamond in connection with the incident.
Additional information about the circumstances surrounding Chaparro’s death had not been publicly released as of the latest update.
Residents seeking additional information about the investigation can follow updates from the Shrewsbury Police Department and the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.
🔎 W.U.W. Verification Box
• Project / Topic: Recovery and identification of a Worcester man from Lake Quinsigamond near Sunset Beach in Shrewsbury.
• Current Status: Authorities identified the deceased as 31-year-old Worcester resident Yunio Ciromine Antonio Chaparro. The investigation remains ongoing.
• Key Dates or Decisions: Shrewsbury Police received a report of a possible drowning at approximately 3:27 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. The search resumed Monday, Aug. 10, and Chaparro was recovered from the lake during the late morning. His identity was subsequently released by the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.
• Estimated Cost: Authorities have not released information about the cost of the search and recovery operation.
• Timeline: The initial search began Sunday afternoon and continued into the evening. Emergency crews returned Monday morning, used sonar to locate a person beneath the water and recovered Chaparro with the assistance of divers.
• Immediate Next Steps: The circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation by authorities. No additional public action or community restrictions have been announced in connection with the incident.
• Primary Sources: Shrewsbury Police Department information regarding the initial 911 call and search operation; Worcester County District Attorney’s Office information identifying Yunio Ciromine Antonio Chaparro; participating public safety agencies involved in the search and recovery.
• What We Do Not Yet Know: Authorities have not publicly explained how Chaparro entered the water, what occurred immediately before the reported drowning, or whether additional findings will be released as part of the investigation.
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