Man drowns in Cape Fear River
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Fayetteville police have recovered a man's body after hours of searching the Cape Fear River.
Authorities said around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, a man was seen in the river and appeared to be in distress.
He was last seen under the Person Street bridge. Officers with the Fayetteville Police Department's Search and Rescue/Dive team located the body under the bridge.
The man has been identified as 57-year-old James Earl McDonald. The investigation revealed that McDonald jumped from the bridge into the river and went into immediate distress.
Authorities said McDonald died as a result of the injuries he sustained from the jump.
"Witnesses saw the subject in the water, and then he went under and they did not see him anymore," said Lt. David McLaurin with the Fayetteville Police Department.
Detectives with the Fayetteville Police Department are actively investigating the incident and are requesting anyone with information to contact Detective J. Walker at (910) 237-9391 or Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).
Crimestoppers information can also be submitted by visiting http://www.fay-nccrimestoppers.org/send_a_tip.aspx and completing the anonymous online tip sheet or by text-a-tip on your mobile device by sending a message to 274637 (in the text box type "4Tip" followed by your message).
