Police Remove Vehicle, Body from Cove

Multiple tow trucks arrived at "The Cove" late Friday afternoon to remove a station wagon found submerged earlier that day below the dark, freezing waters. State Police are continuing to investigate the discovery of a female body, which was discovered in the rear of the station wagon.

The vehicle was a silver station wagon with Massachusetts license plates.

"There's been a body found," said Police Chief Lance Hebert. "It's still under investigation at this time."

State police at the scene refused comment.

Vehicles with "medical examiner" on the side were seen driving in and out of The Cove earlier in the day.

Police responded to the state park off Route 24 North on Friday shortly after 11 a.m. for a report of a vehicle submerged in the freezing water. Officers at the scene said that when they arrived, they discovered the woman's body within the rear of the vehicle.

The identity of the victim has not been released at this time.

"I'm shocked," said Russell Jepson of Taunton, MA, upon hearing what was happening. 

Jepson stopped at The Cove around noon on Friday to feed an injured seagull, which he does everyday at this time.

More State Police vehicles could be seen pulling into "The Cove" Friday afternoon as the investigation continued. Police have not released further details about this case at this time, but have cordoned off the area from several reporters.

The case has been turned over to State Police, according to officers at the scene.

The body was found inside the station wagon, which could barely be seen under the dark, cold waters at this state park.

Officers and rescue crews from Tiverton and Portsmouth responded to remove the submerged vehicle from the water. The Cove is known as an area where stolen vehicles are left often, said Portsmouth Police Officer Matt D'Aguanno.

Portsmouth and Tiverton Patch will continue to follow this story as it develops.