The deceased has ties to Frederick County, Md.
Pittsburgh, Pa. (KM) Authorities in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area continue to investigate the death of a missing man with Frederick County connections.
Dale Vietmeier, the Chief of the Robinson Township Police, says a woman who lived in the area saw a body floating in the Ohio River at around 8:45 AM, and called 911. Police, fire and rescue units responded to the scene. “We did observe the body about 30-feet out. And then my officers were able to corral it at the next dock down and pulled it in,” he says
Chief Vietmeier says the state medical examiner on the scene was able to identify the body as that of Dakota James, 23, who was reported missing on January 25th.
“At this time, Dakota has been taken to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination,” said Lavonnie Blickerstaff, the Assistant Chief of Investigations for the Pittsburgh Police Department, who briefed reporters on Monday. “Until the examination has been completed, additional details of this death investigation cannot be released at this time.”
Blickerstaff said she could not answer questions about whether there was trauma on James’ body, or if drugs or alcohol was involved in his death.
James was living in the Pittsburgh area, attending Duquesne University. He grew up in Jefferson, Md., and graduated from Brunswick High in 2011.
James’ parents had been living in a hotel in Pittsburgh since their son disappeared. They had spent their time working with local police, hanging up fliers and searching various locations around the city with family and friends, according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
By Kevin McManus