Indiana Conservation Officers have recovered the body of Robert L. Austin, 26, of Connersville, from the Whitewater River. 

Family notification has been made and an exact cause of death is pending autopsy results. 

This incident is still under investigation.

Indiana Conservation Officers were assisted in the recovery by the Everton Fire Department and Fayette County Coroner’s Office.

Original release - July 9

Indiana Conservation Officers are searching for a missing man in the vicinity of Mahan Park, commonly referred to as “Three-Mile Bridge,” near Highway 121 in Connersville.

After receiving notification from Fayette County Dispatch at approximately 5:45 p.m., Thursday, Conservation Officers arrived on scene and discovered a vehicle and several articles belonging to Robert L. Austin, 26, of Connersville.

Conservation Officers, with the assistance from other agencies, are currently searching the Whitewater River with boats and sonar, as well as utilizing an ISP helicopter and drones.  

Agencies assisting in the search are Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, Everton Fire Department, Laurel Fire Department, Fayette EMS, Bentonville Fire Department and Richmond Fire Department.