What began as a search for a missing man in Painesville turned into a grim recovery on the Grand River on Thursday, authorities said. Officers and firefighters pulled a body from the water near the East Walnut Street bridge after combing the river by boat and scouring the shoreline at Beaty Landing. The person was taken from the scene and transported to the Cuyahoga County medical examiner's office, and officials had not confirmed the individual's identity as of Thursday night.
As reported by Cleveland.com, Painesville police were called to Beaty Landing on East Walnut Street before the body was recovered and later issued a news release describing the response. According to the outlet, officers used a boat on the river and coordinated teams along the shore during the search that ultimately led to the discovery near the bridge. The release did not name the missing person or explain how the individual may have ended up in the water.
Search Teams On The River
The Painesville Police Department's news release states that officers were assisted on scene by the city fire department and the Ohio Search and Rescue Team. Crews worked from both a boat and the riverbank while they searched the stretch of the Grand River near Beaty Landing. The release did not indicate whether investigators suspect foul play and said only that the case remains under active investigation.
What Comes Next For Investigators
The body was taken to the Cuyahoga County medical examiner's office to confirm the person's identity and determine the cause of death, according to Cleveland.com. Officials said they plan to release more details after the medical examiner completes that work and after relatives have been notified. The release asks anyone with information about the case to contact the Painesville Police Department.
Where The Search Unfolded
Beaty Landing is a public access point along the Grand River managed by Lake Metroparks and located on East Walnut Street in Painesville. The landing appears on the Lake Metroparks Grand River Water Trail map, which highlights access points and hazards for boaters, anglers and paddlers. Because the park sits close to the East Walnut Street bridge, crews were able to search both upstream and downstream during Thursday's operation.
