A missing man in Pennsylvania was discovered dead after a month-long search.
Shelby Rhodes, 26, was last seen leaving a house party on February 7 at 5:30 a.m. local time, according to Kevin Harris, chief of police with the City of Monongahela Police Department.
Over a month later, his body was recovered from the Monongahela River at 6:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, March 21, according to CBS station KDKA-TV, citing the Allegheny County Coroner’s Office.
An investigation into his death is ongoing, and the cause of death has yet to be identified.
Jessica Rhodes, his brother’s sister, told ABC affiliate WTAE-TV that on February 6, he went out for a night with a classmate and returned home with a group. Jessica informed the newspaper, “Everyone left the house at the same time.” Shelby was on foot. There were two cars, I believe, with two persons each, and they waved to Shelby. They noticed him walking towards the shed in the back of the house, near to the river.”
NBC affiliate WPXI said that volunteers and authorities spent a month using sonar, drones, divers, and K-9 units to search the Donora River. “It’s been an all-out effort,” Monongahela City Fire Chief Aaron Leezer told CBS station KDKA-TV last month.
After his corpse was located, dozens of friends joined Rhodes’ vigil on Sunday, March 22, at his favorite site, the Monongahela Aquatorium, according to ABC affiliate WTAE-TV. “I had so much hope that he was out there somewhere,” sister Jessica told CBS affiliate KDKA-TV. “It is tough to put into words. He’s my baby brother. ” It was not supposed to end like this. “As much as he tried to appear tough. ” He wore his heart on his sleeve,” Rhodes explained. “We’ve been through a lot together, including being homeless. “We moved from motels together.”
A GoFundMe page was also established to help his family.
“He was a light in every room, someone who brought people together, uplifted those around him, and left a lasting impact on everyone he met,” the person who organized the event said. “With his music, enthusiasm, and presence, he created moments and memories that will last forever. “This loss has devastated us all.”