Man's body recovered from river

Investigators on Monday were trying to identify a man whose body was found in the Flathead River.

Investigators on Monday were trying to identify a man whose body was found in the Flathead River.

An instructor with Red Eagle Aviation spotted what seemed to be a body hung up Monday afternoon in some logs just south of the Old Steel Bridge near Kiwanis Park. He told Red Eagle manager Dave Hoerner about his discovery. Hoerner flew over the area and confirmed that a body was floating in about 2 or 3 feet of water.

"He was pretty easy to see," Hoerner said. He called the Flathead County Sheriff's Office.

Flathead County Undersheriff Mike Meehan said a boat, divers, deputies and a coroner were dispatched to the river.

They recovered the body of a man who appears to be in his late 40s or early 50s. He was dressed warmly in khaki pants, a coat, and a red Carhartt coat over that.

His body will be sent to the state crime lab today, Meehan said.

"There doesn't appear to be any sign of foul play" he said after a cursory examination. The body hadn't been in the water very long, he said.

The man had no identification on him, Meehan said. Officers were attempting to get fingerprints from him Monday evening.

Meehan said no recent missing persons reports match the man's description.

A vehicle parked near the river was first thought to be related to body, but investigators found the owner of that vehicle and think now that there is no connection.

"We really do have a mystery," Meehan said.