Shane Montgomery Found: Family Identifies Body Found in River, Asks for Privacy as they Mourn
ByThe search for Shane Montgomery has reached an end, as the family of the missing college student identified a body found in the Schuylkill River as his.
According to the Associated Press, a diving unit pulled Montgomery out of a part of the river near the pub where he was last seen alive in Philadelphia, Pa. early in the morning on Thanksgiving. A medical examiner has not made a positive identification, but the Montgomery family confirmed it was Shane's body.
"Today we have done what we promised. We found and brought Shane home," Shane's mother Karen told reporters Sunday on the riverbank.
She asked for privacy as her family grieves for Shane, thanked all the men and women who aided in the search and said the worst part, the uncertainty, was over.
"Today we have done what we promised. We found and brought Shane home. We want to thank the Garden State Underwater Recovery Unit, Philadelphia Marine Unit, Northwest Detectives, the Philadelphia Police Department, Saint John the Baptist, Mike Rose and the Brew Pub and their employees," read a statement on the Help Find Shane Montgomery Facebook page. "We want to thank everyone for their support, prayers, and love and ask that they continue to pray for our family at this trying time. At this time we ask that you please respect our privacy. We need time to mourn together as a family."
Students at West Chester University (WCU) held a candlelight vigil Sunday night in remembrance of Montgomery, who was a student there. The school's president, Greg R. Weisenstein, also released a statement in a memo to students later shared on WCU's Facebook page.
"On behalf of the entire West Chester University community, I extend deepest sympathies to Shane Montgomery's family, friends, roommates and classmates. West Chester University grieves today at the loss of this vibrant young man who touched the lives of so many," he wrote. "Professors of Shane have shared recollections with me of his positive attitude, inquisitive mind, quick sense of humor, close relationships with friends and classmates, and strong ties to his family. At the Sykes vigil held on December 3, Shane's friends told stories of his love of life, enjoyment of all kinds of music, and the many laughs and good times he shared with WCU friends."