Vernon Police Find the Body of a Missing Man

Update 11:30 a.m.

Vernon Police recovered the body of James Doer, 59, from Risley Reservoir on Lake St, this morning, following an overnight search, police said in a press release.

Doer was reported missing by a family member on Tuesday. Vernon Police immediately issued a Silver Alert for Doer and began a missing person investigation.

The search near the Reservoir was prompted when a Vernon patrol officer doing a check of the Reservoir on the midnight shift located a vehicle belonging to Doer, police said.

Police K9 teams from the CT State Police, along with members of the Vernon Police Department and Vernon Fire Department conducted a search of the heavily wooded area around the Reservoir overnight.

At day break searchers spotted an article of clothing in the water a short distance from shore. A State Police diver entered the water and recovered Doer’s body.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was notified and will be conducting an autopsy. The autopsy is tentatively scheduled for tomorrow, January 1.

No cause and manner of death has been determined at this time, although police do not suspect foul play based on the initial investigation. Vernon Detectives are continuing to investigate.

Prepared by: Lt William Meier

Original post 10 a.m.

Police issued a Silver Alert yesterday for 59-year-old James Doer, who went missing from Vernon.

Vernon police said Wednesday that the vehicle believed to be connected to Doer was found at Risley Reservoir by an officer overnight, prompting a search.

Police recovered a body from Risley Reservoir this morning as a result of the search. Foul play is not suspected at this time but the police investigation continues, Vernon police said.