Missing Man's Body Found in Reservoir

Vernon, Connecticut, police found the body of a missing man in a reservoir on Wednesday.

Vernon, Connecticut, police found the body of a missing man in a reservoir on Wednesday.

James Doer, 59, went missing around 3 p.m in Vernon on Tuesday, police said. Police issued a Silver Alert and began searching for him right away because he has a known history of mental health issues.

Officers discovered his body in the shallow water of Risley Reservoir on Lake Street in Vernon on the morning of New Year's Eve during an extensive search. Police had found a car they believed to be his at the reservoir earlier Wednesday morning.

No foul play is suspected, but police aren't ruling any possibilities out.

State police K9 units searched the deep woods surrounding the water and then focused the search on the water. Dive teams and boats were called to respond and then called off at about 8 a.m. when his body was found.

"We’ve stopped the search and we continue to investigate, at this time we don’t suspect foul play although we have not had a ruling made yet as to how he died," Lt. William Meier, of the Vernon police, said.

The family has been notified and were at the reservoir during the search for most of the morning.
Police are waiting for the medical examiner's arrival to remove the body from the reservoir.

The cause of death has not been determined at this time. Detectives continue to investigate.

Contact Us