Young Whitefish man found in river

The man found dead in the Whitefish River on Tuesday has been identified.

James Powers, 21, of Whitefish was found face-up near the north shore of the river by a river cleanup crew around 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Powers had been reported missing late Monday night by his family after he failed to show up for an Easter celebration.

Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial said authorities are waiting for an autopsy to determine the cause of death, but there were no obvious signs of foul play.

However, why Powers was in that area remains unclear.

According to friends, Powers was last seen leaving Casey’s in downtown Whitefish Saturday evening.

“We’re investigating who last saw him and trying to come up with a timeline for that night,” said Dial.

He said it is unclear when Powers left the Central Avenue bar, but speculated it was around closing time, 2 a.m. 

Dial said Powers’ grandmother and mother live near the river and he may have been heading to visit them. However, Powers did not live with either woman.

Dial described Powers as a reliable young man whose disappearance aroused concern after he hadn’t shown up for work at McDonald’s or returned home.

And the event is unique.

“I don’t recall finding anyone in the river since I’ve been here,” said Dial, who has been chief for nine years.

The Whitefish Police Department and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the incident.