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Body Of Missing Stratford Man Found In Housatonic River In Shelton

SHELTON, Conn. — A 46-year-old Stratford man who went missing in the Housatonic River in Shelton was found dead late Wednesday afternoon in the water near the Sunnyside Boat Ramp, police said.

The Sunnyside Boat Ramp on the Housatonic River in Shelton

The Sunnyside Boat Ramp on the Housatonic River in Shelton

Photo Credit: Long Island Sound Resource Center - University of Connecticut

At 2 p.m. Wednesday, Shelton police received numerous 911 calls reporting a man in the water who appeared to be distressed near the Sunnyside Boat Ramp. 

Police, Fire and EMS personnel were called to the scene, police said. 

Officers responded within minutes and immediately went into the water to try to locate the man, but were unsuccessful, police said.

Personnel and dive teams from Shelton, Trumbull, Monroe, Stratford, and Fairfield arrived on the scene to help, police said. 

About two-and-a-half hours into the search, the man's body was found.  He has been identified as 46-year-old Willard McDonald of Stratford, police said.

The area is marked as "No Swimming," according to NBC Connecticut. It is not clear whether he was swimming or fell off a boat, NBC Connecticut said. 

This incident is currently under investigation by the Shelton Police Detective Division. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 203-924-1544.

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