The body of Dalton G. Malmstrom was recovered from the Susquehanna River on May 11, 2026, bringing a devastating end to a massive two-state search that mobilized emergency crews, drones, and K9 teams from across New York and Pennsylvania.
The 18-year-old from Nichols, New York, had been missing since the morning of May 9, when he left his family’s home on East River Road following a dispute with relatives. The New York State Police Underwater Recovery Team, assisted by K9 units, and the Nichols Fire Department, made the discovery two days after Malmstrom was last seen.
Search Mobilizes Volunteers From Both States
The search effort expanded rapidly after Malmstrom’s disappearance. Ground crews, aerial drones, and canine units were deployed along the Susquehanna, one of the longest rivers on the East Coast, which flows through challenging terrain marked by thick vegetation, steep banks, and farmland near the town of Nichols. The location sits roughly halfway between Binghamton and Elmira in New York’s Southern Tier, just north of the Pennsylvania border, transforming what began as a local missing-person case into a coordinated multi-jurisdictional operation stretching across state lines.
Investigators have not provided details about his movements after he walked out of his home in the 2100 block of East River Road.
Family Reported Teen Was ‘Not Acting Like Himself’
Malmstrom departed his residence around 7:45 a.m. on May 9 after an argument with family members, investigators said. Relatives reported him missing later that day, telling troopers he was “not acting like himself” before leaving. He was described as 5-foot-10 with dark hair and was last seen wearing a dark-colored shirt.
The family’s observations about his behavior and the argument that preceded his departure have emerged as key elements in the investigation, though state police have not publicly connected those circumstances to any specific explanation for how the teen ended up in the river. Authorities have not characterized the death as suspicious, but have also not ruled out any possibilities.
Officials have not disclosed whether surveillance footage, witness accounts, or physical evidence helped focus the search area, nor have they elaborated on what may have been recovered along his path from home to the water.
District Activates Crisis Response for Grieving Students
Malmstrom was a 2025 graduate of Owego Free Academy, and news of his death has deeply affected the Owego Apalachin Central School District. District officials activated their crisis intervention plan to provide counseling services to students, staff, and families throughout the week.
“Our hearts are with the Malmstrom family during this unimaginably difficult time,” district officials said in a statement, adding that “Dalton remains a well-known member of the OACSD community, with relatives and friends currently enrolled at Owego Free Academy.”
School administrators emphasized that supporting students through the emotional aftermath is their top priority, saying the district is “ensuring that our students have the emotional support and resources they need to navigate the complex feelings that arise.”
Investigation Ongoing as Community Reels
State Police have asked anyone with information about Malmstrom’s activities on the morning of May 9 to contact investigators. The New York State Police can be reached at 607-561-7400.
The case remains under active investigation, with no determination yet made about the circumstances surrounding his death.
In Nichols, a riverside community with fewer than 2,500 residents, the outcome has struck hard. Many who participated in the search were neighbors, classmates, and family friends who had hoped the extensive effort would bring Malmstrom home safely.
A GoFundMe campaign has been created to assist the family with burial costs and everyday expenses, with organizers seeking to raise $20,000 to help cover costs they say the family never anticipated.
