NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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5:15 p.m. update:
At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 21, 2019, divers from the Niagara Regional Police Service, Marine/Underwater Search and Recovery Unit recovered a body from the Niagara River. The body was located near Jarvis Street in Fort Erie.
The Coroner attended the scene. The body has been positively identified as 28-year-old, Fort Erie resident Joshawa Raymond Douglas Brooks.
This investigation remains ongoing by detectives from the 5 District Fort Erie Criminal Investigations Branch and the office of the Coroner.
Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is asked to contact 5 District Fort Erie detectives 905-688-4111 ext. 9369.
3:45 p.m. update:
The police investigation of the incident in the Niagara River near Jarvis Street and the Niagara Boulevard that occurred on July 20, 2019, remains ongoing.
Earlier today, tragically the 29-year-old woman Fort Erie who was involved in this incident died in hospital.
The child also remains in hospital at this time in stable condition.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., police divers from the Niagara Regional Police Marine/Underwater Search and Recovery Unit located a body in the Niagara River. The identity of the body is not being released at this time pending the arrival of the coroner and notification of next of kin.
This investigation remains ongoing by detectives from the 5 District Fort Erie Criminal Investigations Branch and the office of the Coroner.
Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is asked to call detectives at 905-688-4111, ext. 9369.
Original story 8 a.m.:
On Sept. 20, 2019, at approximately 6:30 p.m. Emergency Services (Police Fire EMS) responded to the Niagara River in the area of Jarvis Street and the Niagara Boulevard in Fort Erie, for a report of three people in the water in distress.
A bystander was able to rescue a 29-year-old woman from the water and a young child. The woman was transported from the scene in critical condition by Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics to an area hospital. The child was also transported for further assessment.
The third person has been identified as 28-year-old Joshawa Raymond Douglas Brooks of Fort Erie. He is presently missing. As a result of this incident and investigation, Brooks is wanted for the alleged offences of:
- Attempted murder
- Breach of probation
The attempted murder charge is in relation to the child.
The scene has been processed by the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Forensics Service Unit
The NRPS Marine / Underwater Search and Recovery Unit is on scene conducting search operations. They will also be conducting further search operations tomorrow.
Search efforts remain ongoing with the assistance of vessels from Fort Erie Fire Services, US Coast Guard, US Border Patrol and helicopters from the Erie County Sheriff's Office, US Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Air Force.
This investigation remains ongoing by uniform officers and detectives from the 5 District Fort Erie Criminal Investigations Branch. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or have knowledge of Brooks' location is asked to call our dispatch 905-688-4111.
Information on crimes can also be submitted anonymously using Crime Stoppers of Niagara.
To leave an anonymous tip, please contact Crime Stoppers via:
Telephone - 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
Online - www.niagaratips.ca
Text - Text is not available at this time.
Crime Stoppers guarantees that you will remain anonymous through any of the methods offered to provide tips. You may also be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000 if the information leads to an arrest.
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