Body Of Southern Regional Teacher Found In Ohio River: Police

Drew Camoosa was the teacher who could always make you laugh. On Wednesday, his former students talked about how their thoughts of him, and their hearts, were sad.

Drew Camoosa, 48, a New Jersey special services teacher, was found face down in the Ohio river at approximately 10:35 a.m. on New Year's Eve, according to the Allegheny County Police Department in Pennsylvania.

On Facebook, tributes poured in for the Southern Regional School District teacher, with one former student saying, "Wow my heart is so sad," upon hearing the news.

"So many times in class did he make us laugh, and we made him laugh," the former student said. "Always willing to help and (be) understanding."

Camoosa had been on medical leave for a year, Superintendent Craig Henry said in an email to Patch.

"The Southern family is deeply saddened by Drew’s passing. Our focus is now on supporting his wife and children during this most difficult of times. The Southern Family extends appreciation for everyone’s respect for Drew’s family’s privacy," Henry said.

Camoosa's body was found after Ohio Township, Pa. police and paramedics were dispatched to the Emsworth Lock and Dam on the Ohio River in response to a 911 call, police said.

There, they found Camoosa, a Little Egg Harbor resident, floating face down in the river. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives from the Allegheny County Police Homicide Unit responded to the scene. An investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Tipline at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477); callers can remain anonymous. The department can also be reached via its social media sites.

This is a developing story. Patch will have more information as it comes in.

KDKA-TV/CBS Pittsburgh reported that police had attempted to have the man commited to a psychiatric facility before his passing:

Other tributes also spoke of his humor:

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