Davenport police are working to identify a body found floating in the Mississippi River. Police Captain David Struckman says a boater called police Saturday afternoon, saying he had spotted the body of a white man south of the I-280 bridge.
Firefighters recovered the body minutes later. An autopsy is being scheduled. There is speculation the body may be that of Matthew Haessler. He has been missing since May 8th when he fell or jumped from the I-74 bridge while trying to elude Bettendorf police.
Haessler has been identified as the driver of a car that had been reported stolen. Police stopped the car on the bridge, Haessler fled on foot and climbed over a railing. Police say they saw Haessler in the water but he disappeared under the surface.
By Phil Roberts, Davenport