Breaking: Body found in submerged car found in Mississippi River

Police confirmed that a body was found in the submerged vehicle that was pulled from the Mississippi River Friday afternoon.

The body was found in the back seat of the vehicle.

The vehicle was a car, despite an earlier report that it was believed to be a van. Police were asking that details of the car not be released to the public at this time.

Police were not releasing details about the individual found, including age and gender, though Cape Girardeau police spokesman Darin Hickey said there was only one body found.

Cape Girardeau Fire/Rescue team members work to recover a submerged passenger car in the Mississippi River Friday, Jan. 17, 2014 near the Red Star boat access area. (Fred Lynch)

The car was removed from the river at the Red Star boat access area.

When and how the car got in the river remains unclear.

Hickey said a passerby called police about 10:11 a.m. to report seeing the antenna and roof of the vehicle in the water.

Battalion chief Brad Dillow of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department said to work around the river's strong current, divers hoped to hook a chain to the fenders of the vehicle and pull it out.

Responding to questions from reporters, Hickey said earlier there was no indication the vehicle is connected to the death of 40-year-old Marsha Brown of Cape Girardeau, whose body was found Tuesday in a ditch near U.S. 51 in rural Makanda, Ill.

Brandon L. Banks, 28, of Cape Girardeau faces a first-degree murder charge in connection with her death.

epriddy@semissourian.com

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department responds Friday to a car submerged in the Mississippi River.

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