Body believed to be missing Essex County man found in Connecticut River

LUNENBURG — The body of a man believed to be Russell Matheson, 52, of Lunenburg, was discovered in the Connecticut River in Dalton, New Hampshire, this morning.

Matheson had been reported missing last month, and the Vermont State Police is now conducting a death investigation. Initial findings suggest that the incident does not appear to be suspicious.

At approximately 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday, members of the New Hampshire Dive Team located the body in the river. It was transported to the New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy to confirm the identity and determine the cause and manner of death.

The Essex County Sheriff’s Department first became aware of Matheson’s possible disappearance on March 18 and verified the information with family members. It was believed that Matheson may have entered the Connecticut River in the early morning hours of March 16.

On March 19, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Search and Rescue Team began searching the river but were unable to locate Matheson at the time.

The Vermont State Police continues to ask anyone with information that could assist investigators to call the St. Johnsbury Barracks at 802-748-3111.