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The names of two people whose bodies were pulled from the Ohio River have been released after an extensive search near Meade County.Billie J. Gardner (Duke), 40, of Rhodelia, and Kevin L. Wardrip, 46, of Battletown, were identified Friday in an update from the Brandenburg Police Department.According to the police department, Gardner’s body was first recovered, followed by Wardrip. Officials said an autopsy has been performed on the two, but the results are still pending.The bodies were recovered early Thursday morning from the river. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources later confirmed the bodies were pulled from the Indiana side near New Amsterdam.According to the DNR, several agencies responded to the area after the bodies were discovered by barge workers. The bodies of Gardner and Wardrip were pulled from the river with the help of Brandenburg police and DNR conservation officers.Investigators said conservation officers had been searching for the bodies since Tuesday night, when they found a boat adrift along the Indiana shoreline, upstream from where the victims were recovered Thursday morning.Before the bodies were found, DNR officials said crews had been searching around the Brandenburg area, where the boat was initially launched.DNR officials have not said how the two made it into the river. They said the Brandenburg Police Department will lead the investigation.The DNR was assisted by Kentucky State Police, Louisville Metro police water patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard in their search.
The names of two people whose bodies were pulled from the Ohio River have been released after an extensive search near Meade County.
Billie J. Gardner (Duke), 40, of Rhodelia, and Kevin L. Wardrip, 46, of Battletown, were identified Friday in an update from the Brandenburg Police Department.
According to the police department, Gardner’s body was first recovered, followed by Wardrip. Officials said an autopsy has been performed on the two, but the results are still pending.
The bodies were recovered early Thursday morning from the river. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources later confirmed the bodies were pulled from the Indiana side near New Amsterdam.
According to the DNR, several agencies responded to the area after the bodies were discovered by barge workers. The bodies of Gardner and Wardrip were pulled from the river with the help of Brandenburg police and DNR conservation officers.
Investigators said conservation officers had been searching for the bodies since Tuesday night, when they found a boat adrift along the Indiana shoreline, upstream from where the victims were recovered Thursday morning.
Before the bodies were found, DNR officials said crews had been searching around the Brandenburg area, where the boat was initially launched.
DNR officials have not said how the two made it into the river. They said the Brandenburg Police Department will lead the investigation.
The DNR was assisted by Kentucky State Police, Louisville Metro police water patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard in their search.