Police identified the body found in the Des Moines River on April 10 as a man missing since October.
Aaron Henry, 35, of Des Moines, was the fourth person found in the Des Moines River in two months, according to a news release from police spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek.
Henry was reported missing in November, last being seen leaving Broadlawns Medical Center on Oct. 30. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and did not have his essential medications.
Parizek said there was no indication of criminal circumstances that contributed to Henry’s death. Police continue to investigate.
Four bodies found in river in two months, three were missing men
On Feb. 27, boaters reported a body near the Harriet Street boat ramp. The man was later identified as Dut Makuet, 29, a Des Moines resident who had been missing since December. Police said there was no evidence of criminal activity and that Makuet “likely entered the river intentionally.”
On March 9, a second body was found near the Second Avenue bridge in the Union Park neighborhood. That man was identified as Luis Cruz Baltazar, 44, of Des Moines. Police said there were no obvious indications of trauma or criminal activity, and the department is still awaiting forensic confirmation on the cause of death.
On March 31, a third body was found in the river near Principal Park. The man was identified as Abraham Aguilar, 20, of Des Moines, who was missing since Feb. 17.
Parizek previously told the Register that environmental factors, like recent rain and high winds, contribute to the number of bodies found in recent months.
“Water levels rise and the current picks up,” Parizek said. “A person who might have gone into the river months ago breaks loose, and they get snagged on something close to the bank, and somebody sees them. There’s really no solid answer other than it’s just nature.”
Kyle Werner is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Man missing since fall identified as body found in Des Moines River
Reporting by Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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