NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. – A 36-year-old North Tonawanda man who was reported missing earlier this week has been found dead after an extensive multi-agency search of the Erie Canal, according to the North Tonawanda Police Department.
Jeffrey A. Turner was reported missing on July 14. Investigators said their initial investigation indicated Turner may have entered the canal near the intersection of Sweeney Street and Manhattan Street, prompting a large-scale search involving multiple local, state, and federal agencies.
Body recovered near Ellicott Creek Park
On Thursday, the Town of Tonawanda Police Department responded to a report of a possible body floating in the Erie Canal near Ellicott Creek Park, approximately 2.5 miles from where Turner was believed to have entered the water.
Responding officers located a deceased adult man, who was recovered from the canal by Ellicott Creek Fire and Getzville Fire personnel. The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed the victim was Turner.
No foul play suspected
Police said the search included assistance from the North Tonawanda Police Marine Unit, K-9 Sasha, the U.S. Border Patrol, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Underwater Recovery Team, and the City of Tonawanda Police Department.
Authorities said no foul play is suspected at this time. The North Tonawanda Police Department extended its condolences to Turner’s family and thanked the partner agencies and fire departments that assisted in the search and recovery efforts. Officials said no further information will be released.
Why it matters
Missing person investigations involving waterways often require coordinated efforts from specialized marine, dive, and recovery teams. While the investigation remains active, police said there is currently no indication that Turner’s death resulted from criminal activity.
