Missing Beaver County man found dead after truck pulled from Monongahela River

Body of missing man pulled from Monongahela River

ELIZABETH, Pa. (KDKA) -- A missing Beaver County man has been found dead after a three-day search in the Monongahela River. 

Thirty-six-year-old Brian Posch was found in his truck that was pulled from the river on Tuesday afternoon. 

Posch was last heard from Friday morning. He was reported missing when he didn't show up for work. The Elizabeth police chief said they were called in to help with the investigation because cell tower data put Posch's last known location inside the borough. 

Divers found a large metal mass in the river bed on Monday, but because of treacherous undercurrent conditions, it couldn't be removed, the chief said. Recovery efforts resumed Tuesday, and crews pulled the truck from the river.

At this time, police don't know how Posch ended up in the river but foul play is currently not suspected. 

"We do not have evidence of foul play at this time, however, with all investigations, things could change at a moment's notice," said Elizabeth Police Chief Ken Honick.

Posch's manner of death has yet to be determined. That information will come from the Allegheny County medical examiner's office.  

Tuesday was day three of the search in the area. Police, fire, and others were all up and down the Mon. The search effort caught the attention of neighbors.

Search teams spent part of Monday combing through parts of the Monongahela River near Elizabeth. KDKA

"All kinds of commotion, a lot of police everywhere," said West Elizabeth resident Keved White.

KDKA-TV asked White what goes through his mind when he sees all the first responders. "Tragedy," he replied. "It's terrible, a lot of people concerned, obviously. It's a big deal."

Since Sunday night, dive teams have been in the water. On Monday, at least four boats searched the area, especially around the boat launch and where another boat was docked. Authorities even knocked on neighbors' doors in West Elizabeth.

"They stopped by just to check on my cameras to make sure they couldn't see anything or could see anything, which unfortunately my cameras were no help," said White.

"The river was pretty high the past few days, due to all the flooding. So I thought it was going to be impossible, but they managed to do it," White added. 

Dive teams search river for submerged vehicle
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