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UPDATE: Body found in river sent to Toronto for post-mortem exam

City police are still looking for witnesses who may have seen the victim on Thursday evening in the Intercity area.
McIntyre Police 2
Police could be seen walking along the banks of the river on Saturday.

THUNDER BAY – Police say a post-mortem will be conducted in Toronto on the body of a 21-year-old male pulled out of the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway on Saturday.

The body of the victim, whose identity has not yet been released by police at the request of the man's family, was found by a person kayaking in the river.

"It will depend on the direction of the investigation," said Det. John Read of the Thunder Bay Police Service on Monday. "At this time it's not necessary for us to release the name based on what we know." 

"The investigation at this point is open as to what direction it's going. It is very preliminary. There are a lot of people to speak to. In this situation, the family's privacy has to be respected and when there is a time where we feel (releasing the name) will assist the investigation, my hope is we can encourage the family to release the name." 

Read said it's too soon to say whether or not the death is suspicious or criminal in nature. 

"We have to await the post-mortem results," he said. "A post-mortem is being conducted today in Toronto. When I have more information about the post-mortem, that may be able to tell us if it is criminal in nature. But at this time I can't comment on criminal versus the alternative." 

Police are hoping to speak to anyone who might have seen the deceased male this past Thursday at about 8:30 p.m. in the Intercity area.

The victim is described as a slim Aboriginal male with short-black hair and wearing a beige or brown long-sleeve shirt, black pants and black shoes.

Police say the man may have been in the company of others at the time.

Investigators remain on scene. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 684-1200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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