- Thursday, February 27, 2025
The body found has been identified as that of Casey Oakes, which was later found near the bodies of two migrant families, one from Romania and the other from India.
By: Shubham Ghosh
CANADIAN authorities announced on Friday (28) the discovery of a body in the St. Lawrence River, which has been linked to the investigation into the tragic drowning of eight migrants back in March.
Among the victims were members of an Indian family who were attempting to enter the US from Canada illegally. The body found has been identified as that of Casey Oakes, who went missing in March after he was last seen operating a boat, later found near the bodies of two migrant families, one from Romania and the other from India.
The Indian victims were identified as Pravin Chaudhary (50), Dakshaben Chaudhary (45), their daughter Vidhi (23) and son Met (20). Oakes, who was 30 years old at the time of his disappearance on March 29, was found in the river near Ross Island on July 3. However, confirming his identity took some time.
The sequence of events began when Oakes was last seen launching into the St. Lawrence River from the eastern part of Cornwall Island, near the Ontario-Quebec border, in a light blue boat during the night. His family reported him missing the following day, the same day six bodies, including that of a two-year-old child, were found in the water. Two more bodies were recovered the day after. Authorities suspect that the victims were attempting to cross into the US when the tragedy occurred.
Akwesasne Mohawk police, in a news release on Friday, conveyed their condolences to Casey’s family and appreciated their patience during this difficult time. They also stated that no further information would be disclosed at this point.
The investigation into Oakes’s death, as well as the deaths of the eight migrants attempting to cross the river, remains ongoing, according to the police.
(With agency inputs)
