Missing Kayaker's Body Recovered In Merrimack River

HAVERHILL, MA — The search for a missing kayaker on the Merrimack River ended with the recovery of the kayaker's body in Haverhill early Sunday night.

State police said that a Haverhill firefighter found the man's body at about 6:20 after a 90-minute search.

Police said on Monday afternoon that witnesses said Michael Ventura, 31, of Apple Street had been fishing from a canoe off 44 Margin Street when he fell into the Merrimack River roughly 75 feet from shore about 4:45 p.m. Sunday. The witnesses were unable to reach Ventura and alerted authorities.

Members of the Haverhill Police Department, Haverhill Fire Department, Massachusetts State Police Underwater Recovery Unit and Massachusetts Environmental Police responded. The Haverhill firefighter was able to locate Ventura about 75 feet from where he entered the river.