Graceline Ilogene Obituary, Death; – The remains of three individuals, including a 15-year-old girl who had been missing for a week, were discovered in New York City’s East River on the same day.
As reported by CBS News New York, the New York Daily News, and The New York Post, first responders along with officials from the New York Police Department (NYPD)’s Harbor Unit located the body of a teenage girl, identified as Graceline Ilogene from Manhattan, at approximately 12:30 p.m. local time on Friday, June 6. Ilogene had been reported missing for a week after she fell into the river on May 30.
The girl’s white sneakers, jacket, and a collection of books were found at the location where she is believed to have entered the water, as stated by a spokesperson for the NYPD to PEOPLE.
A source who spoke to the Post previously indicated that Ilogene’s friend attempted to alert her to exit the water due to her lack of swimming proficiency. An NYPD spokesperson also informed the outlet that there were no eyewitness accounts suggesting that the girl dropped her phone and entered the water to retrieve it, despite speculation from some bystanders. The NYPD and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) conducted a search for Ilogene for several hours on May 30, but had to suspend their efforts due to adverse weather conditions, according to the reports.
Following the discovery of her body, police informed the Post that the Harbor Unit transported the girl to the Erie Basin in Brooklyn, where she was declared deceased.
“This is a tragic event for a family,” remarked one of the girl’s neighbors to the outlet.
On the same day, two additional bodies were found; however, police informed CBS News New York that all three fatalities were the result of separate incidents. According to the Daily News, police also responded to a 911 call around 6 a.m. on June 6 after bystanders reported seeing an unconscious man floating in the water near the Brooklyn Bridge, as stated by NYPD officials.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and while he has not been publicly identified, he is believed to be in his 30s, as reported by the Daily News. Furthermore, the body of another identified man was recovered.
