It had been more than two weeks since Gardener was reported missing until a jogger saw his body floating in the water near the dam off the Great Miami River Recreational Trail near Shephard Road and Dayton Cincinnati Pike in Miami Twp., authorities said.
The jogger called 911 just before 4:30 p.m. and Five Rivers MetroParks rangers said the body was found in the water about 10 feet off the shore of the river, which was swollen from recent rains.
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“There is no additional information at this time,” said Mark Hess, chief of public safety at Five Rivers MetroParks, in an email Wednesday.
“There were no obvious signs of trauma to the body,” he added. “We have spoken with family members and our investigation is continuing.”
It is not known where or how Gardner entered the water, but a MetroParks ranger said Monday it appeared he had been in the river for some time.
Dayton police sought the public’s help in finding Gardner after he was reported missing by his family. He was last seen about 4 a.m. March 29
He was last seen at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites near the river in Dayton, police said.
The Dayton Police Department said it has been working closely with the MetroParks ranger division in this matter.
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