Authorities ID Michigan man found dead in Allegheny River off East Deer shore
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office has released the name of the man who was found dead Thursday afternoon in the Allegheny River off the East Deer shore.
The medical examiner identified the man as Tirrell Lamont Smith, 40.
Inspector Mike Peairs of the Allegheny County Police said Smith is from Grand Rapids, Mich.
Officials said Thursday that the medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. Neither was announced Friday.
Authorities were alerted Thursday afternoon when someone called 911 after seeing the body floating in the river.
A Tarentum police officer who arrived shortly after 3 p.m. began the search by being ferried along the river near the Tarentum boat launch by a private boat owner.
A crew from Eureka Fire Rescue EMS arrived a short time later to join the search. The body was retrieved several hundred yards down stream from the boat launch off the East Deer shore.
Tarentum police initially investigated but turned the case over to the Allegheny County Police, as is the case involving most fatalities.
Tony LaRussa is a TribLive reporter. A Pittsburgh native, he covers crime and courts in the Alle-Kiski Valley. He can be reached at tlarussa@triblive.com.
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