Body believed to be that of missing canoer has been found

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. - The Berrien County Sheriff's Department says a body found in the Saint Joseph River late Monday appears to be that of missing canoer Michael Scott.

Investigators say they were notified around 10:30 p.m. that some fishermen had found a body in the river near the Jasper Dairy boat ramp. They say the fishermen had a boat with several high-power lights, designed to look deep into the water for fish.

The Berrien County Sheriff Marine Division arrived and located the body about 200 yards south of the Jasper Dairy boat ramp. The body was partially visible above the water, in a tangle of trees and debris.

The body was taken to the morgue at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.

Investigators say the body was a male, and matches Scott's description.

The body will be taken to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo to confirm its identity and to find the cause of death. The autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

The Kalamazoo Paddle club has set up a GoFundMe for family and funeral expenses. If you would like to donate, click here.