Local authorities report that the St. Lawrence River on the U.S.-Canadian border has yielded six lifeless bodies, including that of a child. The corpses were found on the Canadian side, with the first one discovered around 5 p.m. on Thursday in a marshy region of Tsi Snaihne (Snye), which belongs to the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne, an area that spans Quebec, Ontario, and New York state.
Akwesasne Mohawk Police Marine units and the Canadian Coast Guard conducted an extensive search of the vicinity, leading to the unearthing of five additional bodies. At present, it remains unclear how or when the unfortunate victims perished.
“Police will be waiting on the results of a post-mortem and toxicology tests to determine the cause of death,” the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service said in a statement. “Police are attempting to identify the deceased persons at this time and ascertain their status in Canada.”
Police Chief Shawn Dulude confirmed that among the deceased was a child carrying a Canadian passport, although the ages and nationalities of the other victims remain unknown. The discovery was made following a helicopter sighting of an overturned boat earlier in the day.
The search was being conducted in relation to Casey Oakes, a 30-year-old local resident who vanished after departing from Cornwall Island on a small vessel on Wednesday evening. It is uncertain whether there is any connection between the two incidents. Authorities are set to resume the search in the vicinity on Friday.
