Jody Bert, a 44-year-old Florida resident who had been missing since March, was located in the Mississippi River on August 14, as confirmed by the East Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office. Bert had initially disappeared during a family visit in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The report of a body floating in the river came from a dredging company at about 11:30 pm on Monday. The discovery led the U.S. Coast Guard to notify the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, resulting in the body’s extraction by the Maritime unit. It was then transported to the coroner’s office, where initial assessments point toward no evidence of foul play in Bert’s death.
Bert’s family, journeying from Oklahoma to Florida, decided to spend a night in Baton Rouge after he encountered a medical issue. Baton Rouge Police began their investigation into his disappearance on March 23. Bert had last been seen early on March 22, leaving a Baton Rouge hotel after settling his wife and children, intending to park their vehicle. However, he failed to return. By the next day, the vehicle and Bert’s personal items, including his wallet and cell phone, were located at the hotel’s parking area.
The discovery in the river puts an end to the family’s agonizing search.
