Body recovered from the Black River in Butler County now identified

Authorities have identified a body that was recovered from the Black River in Butler County on Sunday.

Butler County Coroner Andy Moore tells KWOC News, the body has been identified as 36 year old John Bishop of Poplar Bluff. He was identified by tattoos and pictures they had of him. He also had identification on him as well. An autopsy has been scheduled for Wednesday morning.

Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs says, had been last talked to or heard from on March 16. He reportedly was last seen in the city.

Two days later, a family member reported him missing to the Poplar Bluff Police Department. 

Dobbs says, a fisherman called to report he found what he believed to be a body in Black River, approximately a half to one mile upstream from the Hargrove Road.

The body was retrieved about an hour later. The body appeared to be in decomposition and had been there for several days, maybe even weeks.