Connecticut River Body Case Turned Over to East Hartford Police

The investigation into the man's body found in the Connecticut River between Wilcox Island and the Middletown shoreline on Aug. 3 has been turned over to East Hartford Police, according to Middletown Police Spokesperson Lt. Heather Desmond.

East Hartford Police public information officer Sgt. Michael DeMaine was unavailable for comment.

In an Aug. 4 press release, Middletown Police said they were working with the state's chief medical examiner's office to determine the circumstances that led to the death of the man they declined to identify until the next of kin was notified. 

There was some indication the decomposing body had been in the water since 2012, according to the press release.

On Aug. 3, according to police, the Middletown Police Marine Unit recovered the remains in the river north of the Arrigoni/Portland Bridge after two fishermen on a boat notified authorities.  

Just over a month ago, a grim discovery was made on the East Hampton-Portland line when a St. Clements Castle maintenance worker found human remains along the Connecticut River bank, according to WTNH.

East Hampton, Portland and State Police, as well as the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection responded to the scene, where a human foot inside a boot was found, according to Fox CT.  

State Police Lt. Paul J. Vance was unable to say Friday if the two incidents are related.

Another man lost his life when he fell into the river and drowned on Aug. 3 in Essex, Lohud.com is reports. On Aug. 6, the body of Richard S. Cianflone, of Valhalla, N.Y., was pulled from the Connecticut River near Essex Island Marina, Lohud reports. 

Cianflone was reported missing after attending the annual lobster festival at the Griswold Inn with a friend, The Middletown Press reported. 

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