Police working to identify man’s body found in Ohio River

VANCEBURG, Ky. (WSAZ) - On Monday, first responders were called to Scott Park in Vanceburg after a person saw a body floating in the Ohio River.

Officials with the City of Vanceburg Police Department, Coroner’s Office and the Fire Department all responded to the scene.

Body found in Ohio River

Vanceburg Assistant Fire Chief Richard Evans said they got the call just before 5 p.m. on Monday.

“We were surprised because that doesn’t happen every day,” said Michael Johnson, a small business owner.

Johnson said, for it being such a small community, he’s shocked he hasn’t heard more about the incident.

“People always come in wanting to talk about what’s happening around town, but we haven’t heard a lot of chatter about that,” Johnson said.

Vanceburg Chief of Police Joe Paul Gilbert said in his 30 years being in law enforcement, he has never been a part of something like this.

Police said at this time, they aren’t considering it suspicious.

Chief Gilbert said they weren’t able to identify the body on scene, and the body was sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfurt so they can get more answers.

In the meantime, Johnson said he’s just trying to keep his mind off of everything.

“We’re just kind of going about business as usual,” Johnson said. “Since it doesn’t happen a lot around here, right now, I’m trying not to be too concerned about it.”

Vanceburg Police said no one has come forward with any information about a missing person.

Officials also say there is no timeline on when they could hear back from the State Medical Examiners Office.