South Bend Police Department Press Release

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At 11:57 AM this date, the SBPD Communications Center received a call of a body floating in the St. Joseph River, near the foot bridge of Leeper Park East.

SBFD River Rescue personnel and police arrived to find the body of a male white, in the water, obviously deceased. The body was removed from the river and taken to a local hospital at the direction of the St. Joseph County Coroner.

The body matches the basic description of a man that was seen struggling in the river on Wednesday, Sept. 17, which initiated a large-scale search. The condition of the body found today is also consistent with an individual that could have entered the water 48 hours prior.

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At approximately 2:40 PM this date, the SBPD Emergency Communications Center received a call of an individual in the St. Joseph River, in distress, just below the dam area. The caller stated it appeared to be a male, white who was either balding or had a shaved head. The civilian caller lost sight of the man as he passed under the Colfax St. bridge. Moments later, a SBPD patrol officer caught sight of the individual as he passed by the east shore near the Pointe Apartments. That was the last confirmed sighting of the man.

SBFD River Rescue units as well as Clay Fire personnel in boats searched the shoreline from the Colfax bridge downstream. SBPD and St. Joseph County PD officers monitored the river from the shoreline and various bridges.

At this time officials are still searching the area, although there are many areas where the river has spilled over the banks and there are numerous overhanging trees, making visibility difficult. The river is also moving very swiftly in areas and persons are cautioned to exercise extreme care along the banks of the waterway.

Anyone with information pertaining to the identity of the person in the river, where he may have entered or the circumstances of his entry are asked to call the SBPD at 574.235.9201. Also, we would like to be informed if anyone may have seen an individual exit the river by his own power near downtown during this period.