May 31st, 2016 by WCBC Radio

On Monday, 05/30/2016, shortly after 4:00 PM, the Cumberland Police were advised that a family that had been floating the North Branch of the Potomac River had spotted a body in the river a short distance downstream from the Mason South End Sports Complex.

The Cumberland Police, with the assistance of the Allegany County Sheriff's Office and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police, responded to the scene. The Bowling Green Swift Water Rescue Team responded to the location, and with the assistance of the Cumberland Fire Department, recovered the body.

The Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I) was contacted and Investigators responded to assist in the investigation. The body has tentatively been identified as 21 year old Mickael Allen Thornton Jr.. Thornton has been missing since 05/12/2016, and has been the subject of a widespread search by law enforcement and private citizens.

A Forensic Investigator with the Maryland State Medical Examiner's Office also responded. The body is being sent to the Medical Examiner's Office in Baltimore for an autopsy to determine the cause of death. The investigation is continuing by the Cumberland Police and C3I.