OHIO — Two bodies were recovered from the Great Miami River on Monday afternoon, days after personal belongings were found along the riverbank, authorities said.
Rescue crews were called to the area of West Monument Avenue and West Riverview Avenue around 1:19 p.m. after a caller reported seeing what appeared to be a body in the water, according to the Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Center.
Dayton District Chief Mike Fasnacht confirmed two bodies were pulled from the river. Their identities have not yet been released and will be determined by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.
The discovery follows a multi-day search that began September 11, when Dayton fire crews responded to reports of a possible water rescue near Interstate 75 and West Monument Avenue. The search was prompted after items described as “personal belongings you wouldn’t usually feel someone would leave behind” were found along the riverbank.
Dayton police later announced they were seeking the public’s help to locate Scarlibeth Garcia Montes and Oscar Garcia, described as a child and an adult male. Police did not provide their ages but said they were last seen early Thursday morning.
The family’s vehicle was located near the CODE Credit Union building on West Monument Avenue, close to where search efforts had been concentrated. Authorities also reported finding Scarlibeth’s shoes and socks, as well as keys, a tablet and cell phone, near the river.
The investigation remains ongoing.
