Body of drowned man found near dry dock

The body of an apparent drowning victim was recovered Sunday morning from the Mississippi River.

Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Clifton said workers on a tow boat found the body of a male of unknown age about 9 a.m. among debris around a barge south of the Missouri Dry Dock & Repair Co. near the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge in Cape Girardeau.

On Sunday afternoon, Clifton said the victim had been identified, but at the request of his family, his name was not being released, pending notification of additional relatives.

He said the victim, who was not from the area, drowned. Clifton declined to give additional details, citing concerns that specifics might reveal the victim's identity.

"We have no reason to believe it was anything other than an accidental death," he said.