BODY FOUND IN MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN STE. GENEVIEVE COUNTY

            On Dec. 3, 2016 at 12:30pm, the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the US Coast Guard. They had received a call from a Captain of a tugboat working the fleet on the north end of the county. He was working a fleet of barges and spotted a body. He called the US Coast Guard who in return notified the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Office and asked us to respond. The tugboat and barge Captains moved the fleet for us to see if we could locate the body. After about 3 hours, we had no success.

            Later that night, we were contacted again by the US Coast Guard that the body was sighted going under another fleet of barges approximately 15 miles south of the original fleet. It has been our experience that bodies can come from many miles above or below us due to barge traffic and current. Due to river conditions and it being dark, we responded at 7:00a.m., Dec. 4th, the next morning.

Once again, a tugboat Captain moved the fleet of barges for us. After a few hours, the body was then located and was then transferred by the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Office from the river to the Coroner’s Office.

            Today, Monday Dec. 5, an autopsy was performed. We currently do not know the identity of this person; however, we have learned that the body is of a white male, height 5’10”, age is estimated to be between 20-40 years, and appears to have died from a gunshot wound. This person is estimated to have been deceased for at least a month. If it would not have been for the diligence of the Captain and crews of the barge fleets, bodies like this would likely not be recovered. Please contact the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Office at (573) 883-5820 if anyone has any information that may help to identify this individual.