Body found

SEARCHING: From left, Const. Phil Huckins; Aux. Const. David Nickerson; and Det. Paul Bettiste launch the Fredericton Police Force boat Wednesday. DAVID SMITH PHOTO

BY HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
hmclaugh@dailygleaner.com

The Fredericton Police Force diving team was in the water in the pitch dark Wednesday night trying to retrieve a body from the St. John River.

Police spokesman Cpl. Martin Gaudet said an individual in the Bourque Lane area of Lincoln contacted emergency personnel after they observed something floating in the river.

Gaudet said a body was located and attempts were continuing late Wednesday night to retrieve it.

At press time, Gaudet said police had not been able to determine if the body belonged to a male or a female.

The dive team has been scouring the river looking for the only suspect in the death of 20-year-old Andree Danielle O'Brien.

Nicholas Pierre Vaillancourt, 21, is missing and presumed drowned after his deserted vehicle was found idling on the Westmorland Street Bridge just after 4 a.m. on April 23.

It is not known if the discovery of the body Wednesday night is connected to the case.