A tragic discovery in Hooksett has brought a somber end to a search for a missing person, as authorities confirmed the recovery of a body from the Merrimack River on Sunday morning. The incident has left the community mourning the loss of a young man whose life ended far too soon.

Search efforts, which had been temporarily suspended overnight due to darkness, resumed around 8 a.m. on April 12. According to officials, members of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Dive Team located and recovered the body at approximately 9:15 a.m. after conducting a coordinated and methodical search of the river.

The victim was later identified as Jeremiah Willey, 25, of Allenstown. Authorities believe Willey accidentally fell into the river while on a railroad bridge near Riverside Street. A witness reported seeing him struggling to stay afloat before he submerged beneath the water and did not resurface.

During the search operation, teams utilized boats equipped with side-scan sonar and deployed divers to thoroughly examine the area. The operation also included support from New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol officers, along with multiple state and local agencies working together to locate the missing individual.

Officials from State Police Troop D and Troop G, along with the Hooksett Police and Fire Departments and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, assisted in the recovery effort. Their coordinated response ensured a thorough search process despite the challenging conditions presented by the river.

Authorities have stated that the death is not considered suspicious at this time, though the investigation remains ongoing. As the community processes the loss, loved ones are left grieving, remembering Jeremiah Willey and the life he lived, while officials continue to gather information surrounding the circumstances of the tragic incident.