Crews pulled a female's body from West Hill Pond near a New Hartford park Sunday evening.
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection officials said that the body found may be that of Patricia Cole, 53. Cole went missing while kayaking on New Year's Day on West Hill Pond and still hasn't been found.
New Hartford First Selectman Daniel Jerram said that the body was found in the northern central part of the body of water. He said officials "are hopeful that they will confirm that the body found is that of Ms. Patricia Cole."
"I have prayed often that Ms. Cole would be found and returned to her family so that they can finally find peace," Jerram posted on his Facebook page. "My thanks go out to all our First Responders who assisted in the recovery including State Trooper John Dickey, DEEP Officer Keith Williams, Resident Trooper Bob Hazen, members of New Hartford Village Fire and New Hartford Ambulance. We appreciate your sensativity and professionalism in this difficult situation. We are fortunate to have you all standing ready to help us all."
On a more somber note, our First Responders were called back to West Hill Lake this evening to recover a body found in the northern central portion of the lake. New Hartford police officers David Helt and Patric Berardinelli completed the recovery of a body from the water and transferred it to state officials who will conduct an autopsy as soon as possible. While no official word from the State will be available tonight, we are hopeful that they will confirm that the body found is that of Ms. Patricia Cole who has been missing since New Years Day. I have prayed often that Ms. Cole would be found and returned to her family so that they can finally find peace. My thanks go out to all our First Responders who assisted in the recovery including State Trooper John Dickey, DEEP Officer Keith Williams, Resident Trooper Bob Hazen, members of New Hartford Village Fire and New Hartford Ambulance. We appreciate your sensativity and professionalism in this difficult situation. We are fortunate to have you all standing ready to help us all. Thank You!
State police responded at about 5:20 p.m. to Brodie Park on West Hill Road to investigate an untimely death in the pond. New Hartford firefighters and ambulance personnel responded at about 5:41 p.m. on Sunday.
Officials from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner responded to the scene and will examine the body to determine the cause of death and identify it.
Local
It started off as a water rescue, but then crews pulled a female's body out of the water at West Hill Pond. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Western District Major Crime detectives also responded.
