No Identification Yet on Body Recovered in Portsmouth Thursday, ME's Office Says

PORTSMOUTH, RI – The body recovered from a submerged car at Brewer's Marina is at the state medical examiner's office, according to spokesman Joseph Wendelken. But it could take several weeks before an identification is made.

"We do have the body," he said, and the medical examiner's office is doing an investigation. But no other information is available.

"It's really difficult to put a time frame on" how long it will take to determine the person's identity, he said.

The body was discovered after Portsmouth police received a call at about 4:40 p.m. Wednesday about a vehicle submerged in water at Brewers Marina, Maj. Brian P. Peters said.

"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.

The vehicle matches the description of one being driven by a South Kingstown resident. The 21-year-old has been missing since February.

RELATED: South Kingstown Man Reported Missing

Wednesday afternoon, Portsmouth police contacted the Rhode Island State Police and asked for assistance from the dive team. Meanwhile, Portsmouth rescue divers determined the car had been in the water for some 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," he said.

On Thursday morning, the state police recovered the vehicle, and found a decomposed body inside, Peters said.