On Monday, August 14, the remains of a man missing for several months were recovered from the Mississippi River.
The remains were identified by the East Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office as Jody Bert, 44. He had vanished in March during a family trip in Baton Rouge.
The body was initially spotted by a dredging company around 11:30 p.m. Following the discovery, the U.S. Coast Guard promptly alerted the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. Bert’s remains were retrieved from the water by the Maritime unit and subsequently sent to the coroner’s office. Initial investigations indicate that Bert’s death likely wasn’t the result of foul play.
Earlier in the year, Bert’s family, traveling from Oklahoma to Florida, decided to stop overnight in Baton Rouge due to Bert experiencing health concerns.
The Baton Rouge Police Department first informed the public about Bert’s disappearance on March 23, noting his last sighting in downtown Baton Rouge on March 22. Bert had last been seen departing a hotel at approximately 12:45 a.m. after leaving his wife and kids. While he left with intentions to park their car, he never rejoined them. His possessions, including his phone and wallet, along with their vehicle, were found in the hotel parking garage the following day.
Bert’s discovery in the river marks a tragic conclusion to the family’s prolonged search.