Medical Examiner's Office Identifies Body Found in Submerged Car

PORTSMOUTH, RI—The state medical examiner's office has identified a decomposed body found last November in a car submerged by a marina at 222 Narragansett Ave. According to Joseph Wendelken, spokesman for the state health department, the person has been identified as Jason Meiczinger, of South Kingstown.

Meiczinger, 21, went missing last February. He was found in a silver car that matched the description of one he was driving when he disappeared.

He was also known as Toader Cazacu.

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According to Portsmouth police Maj. Brian P. Peters, at about 4:40 p.m. Wednesday, a caller reported a vehicle submerged in water at Brewers Marina.

"The calling party informed officers that after observing oil on the water’s surface a diver entered the water and observed the motor vehicle," Peters said.

Portsmouth police contacted the Rhode Island State Police and asked for assistance from the dive team. Meanwhile, he said, "Portsmouth Fire Department rescue swimmers entered the water and observed that the vehicle was covered in silt and had been under water for an extended period of time. Due to safety concerns about the darkness and proximity to the pier, the vehicle was left in place and guarded overnight by Portsmouth Police."

This morning, the state police responded and were able to recover the vehicle, Peters said.