The body of a man who was reported missing earlier this week has been recovered from the Erie Canal in Orleans County after an extensive search, according to Orleans County Sheriff Christopher M. Bourke. The tragic discovery was made on Tuesday, bringing an end to the search efforts.
The missing man has been identified as Robert Bristol, a 39-year-old resident of Hulberton in the Town of Murray. Bristol was reported missing at approximately 5:25am prompting immediate action from the sheriff's department. Deputies, along with K-9 dogs, the Drone Unit, and the Marine Division, were deployed to search for him.
The Murray Joint Fire District and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office Dive Team also assisted in the search operation. Sheriff Bourke revealed that K-9 Otto successfully tracked Bristol's scent to the bank of the canal near Hulberton Road. Tragically, Bristol was found underwater nearby.
The exact circumstances surrounding his fall into the canal are still under investigation, but investigators believe that alcoholic beverages may have played a role. Following the recovery, Bristol's body was transported to the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office in Rochester for examination. The medical examiner will conduct further investigations to determine the cause of death.