LAWRENCE CO.—Lawrence County Sheriff Russell Adams confirmed this morning (9 a.m., 08.14.13) that the department and state and Indiana authorities are working to verify the identity of a body found last night near the Memorial Bridge at Westport.
Adams said that the body was located last night at 7:47 p.m., and that a local resident came upon it while walking in the area.
It was located approximately 100 yards north of the bridge on the Illinois side.
Authorities believe this is a man missing from Vincennes, however, they say, the body has been exposed to the elements for approximately 14 to 15 days and so is in “bad shape.” As well, the upper part of the face is missing, so identification is going to be difficult, said authorities.
There is no approximate age on the man.
Adams said that as soon as identifiers on the body are secured and confirmed, and the family notified, authorities will release the name.
There was a rumor of “three bodies” being found at the river last night; however, authorities were working on securing the one body and ongoing identification efforts as opposed to using resources to dispel rumors of that; so we are helping dispel it now.
More information as we get it; keep checking back.
View of the location as of this morning, looking east at the river from the north side of the bridge.
View of the scene north of the bridge, looking north