Body found

Police have pulled a body of an unidentified male out of the middle of Kaministiquia River.

But Staff Sgt. Don Lewis says it’s too early to tell if it’s the remains of 15-year-old Jordan Wabasse, a Webequie First Nation youth living in Thunder Bay who disappeared on Feb. 7, last seen getting off a transit bus on the south side of the city.

Police made the discovery after receiving a call from recreational boaters in the area, who spotted the body and made a 911 call.

“At approximately 7 p.m.  we responded to a call of some people on a boat who had discovered what appeared to be a body in the middle of the Kaminisitiquia River. Upon further examination, and with the assistance of the fire department, we were able to retrieve what was confirmed to be a body, and it was obviously deceased,” Lewis said on Tuesday evening, a darkening sky blanketing the horizon near the Western Grain Elevators off Kingston Street where the body was found.

Lewis said the discovery was made between two grain elevators on the property, which sits adjacent to the CP railroad tracks.

Ironically it occurred next to the former search headquarters, a small two-storey brick house that just two months ago was a scene of hope as rescuers kept the faith that the teen would be found alive.

On Tuesday the mood was definitely more somber, as about three dozen gathered outside the police blockade, waiting for any news on the missing youngster.

They’ve spent much of the past three months scouring the woods and shoreline, poring through backyards and sheds in hopes of finding Jordan Wabasse seeking closure for a family whose son disappeared without a trace, save for the discovery of baseball cap found in the river that was later linked to the teen.

A shoe was also found as snow melted.

The group chose not to speak at this time, though it’s believed a news conference will be called for Wednesday. After police left, they gathered at the Harold Street search headquarters, in the former Red Cross building, signs pleading for help or information on the teen’s whereabouts plastering the walls.

Lewis, who saw the body, said it’s just too early to make any determination about the deceased, other than his gender.

“I’d just be guessing at this point,” he said, when asked the approximate age of the deceased.

He did say it appears the body had been in the water for some time, and had been preserved remarkably well by the cold.

More news should emerge on Wednesday, Lewis added.

“It is too soon to make a positive identification. The coroner’s office understandably is in charge of the investigation from here. It’s not until tomorrow morning whether or not they’re able to determine if a post-mortem (examination) is going to happen in Thunder Bay or Toronto.”

Once the identification is made the next of kin will be notified.

Lewis said it was three men who made the discovery.

Police exhausted countless man hours on the search, including bringing in an OPP helicopter and dive teams on two separate occasions.

“We’re approaching the eighth time we’ve been over this area,” Lewis said.