Drowning victim identified
Prince William County police identified the 28-year-old man who drowned in Lake Montclair on Wednesday afternoon.
They said Philip Esposito, of 4411 Ashgrove Drive in Montclair, died around 3:30 p.m. when his canoe capsized in the eastern Prince William County lake, said Officer Erika Hernandez, police spokeswoman.
Esposito couldn’t swim and was not wearing a floatation device.
The 44-year-old woman in the boat with Esposito swam to safety, as did a dog that was also in the canoe. They all lived together, police said.
Hernandez said police divers located his body using a scan sonar device provided by Fairfax County police.
The equipment “reads” the bottom of the lake, where waters only reached temperatures of 35 degrees and visibility was zero, officials said on Wednesday.
Hernandez said there wasno sign of foul play, but they are still investigating how the accident occurred.
When the call for an accidental drowning came in on Wednesday, police mobilized helicopters and dive teams to search for the victims. A thunderstorm that rolled into the area later limited their ability to use the helicopters during the search and rescue mission. About two hours after police arrived, they shifted their mission to one of recovery.
Two Prince William police divers removed Esposito’s body from the lake just after 10 a.m. Thursday.
Staff writer Lillian Kafka can be reached at 703-878-8065.
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Reader Reactions
i have been torn every since last thursday when i got the news at Friday’s!! Phil, you will be missed! All the regulars at Friday’s really miss having you around. Its not the same without seeing phil with that crazy “cowboy” hat! and the crazy costumes they often do at Fridays!! The last few days have been really tough.. and to the family/friends continue to stay strong because that is what phil would have wanted.. we all morn together and will get through it together. my prayers are with you all!!
JB
Phil was the most wonderful guy, kind, sweet and cool. I’ve known Phil for 8 years, worked with him at T.G.I. Fridays. I was so shocked when his best friend told me of his death, a part of me died along with Phil. God took back a good man. Phil and I would all ways say A-cu-ma-ma-ta-ta. That was our special saying. I love you me, always had. Until i meet you again, ciao for know.
I was so shocked when I walked in and asked where my friend was (I felt kinda strange when I walked into Friday’s on Friday). I completely lost it and had to leave in a complete zombie like state of mind. Phil didn’t say very much but had a very nice and caring type of personality. I always looked for him because I knew he cared and was good at what he did. I will truly miss him and that occasional wink and smile. It will never be the same at Fridays. My heartfelt condolences are sent to his family in this time of sadness. I have prayed every night that you will be at peace and to know that GOD loves you. GOD bless the family and friends of Phil.
It is an awful loss of a really sweet guy…the most important thing to remember is that it is never a good time to lose someone! The world is short a wonderful man.
EBBY AND FAMILY I GIVE YOU MY BEST!
DAVE G FROM TAMPA - WILL H CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW. WISH YOU THE BEST! HANG IN THERE.
I was so saddened when I got the phone call about Phil. I haven’t seen Ebby and Phil and the old Friday’s bartending crew in years, but that doesn’t mean my heart doesn’t ache for this great loss. I will remember the fun we all had together. When I think of you, I will always smile. Ebby, Ralph has my #. Call me for anything!
Phil will be loved and missed. What I don’t understand is why they said he didn’t know how to swim. If you knew Phil you knew he was not only a swimmer but a strong one at that. This whole incident sounds very suspicious. I want to know why the staff writer didn’t do her homework. Second Phil just turned 27 not 28. Don’t print the story if you are not going to have the decency to verify all the details. I would like to know has someone contacted the lead detective on the case to tell them yes he could swim and that they should investigate every aspect? To Phil’s friends and family: My deepest respect and condolence’s. Phil was a wonderful Man in many ways. A wonderful friend… I will miss him greatly.
WHAT !! WELL PHIL COULD DEFIANTLY SWIM! HE WAS SUCH A KIND HEARTED PERSON. THE GOOD ALWAYS DIE YOUNG. SO UNEXPECTED, MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND EBBY. THE ARTICLE HAS SO MANY FALSE STATEMENTS! ITS RIDICULOUS. THE LADY WAS SAVED MY 2 GIRLS SHE DID NOT SWIM TO SHORE BY HER SELF. AND THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD NOT BE OVER THERE IS TOO MANY MYSTERIOUS STATEMENTS!
You play in the water..your wear a life vest..DUH!! What about kids getting killed in Iraq ? This kid knew better, kids in Iraq just get shot.
I REALY WISH THE MEDIA WOULD GET THERE FACTS RIGHT FIRST… THIS WHOLE ARTICLE IS WRONG PHIL IS 27 NOT 28 AND HE TAUGHT MY DAUGHTER HOW TO SWIM WE SPENT YEARS AT POOLS AND ON THE BEACH SO LETS FIX THIS NOW, HE WAS A GREAT AND AMAZING PERSONAND I LOVE EVERY MIN OF THE LAST 7&1;/2 YEARS A FRIEND A LOVER AND A FATHER TO MY CHILD… I MISS YOU LIKE CRAZY….
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