The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office says the body of a man found in the Platte River in early-June has been positively identified.

Shortly after 4:00 p.m., on June 10, law enforcement was called to the north channel of the Platte River near the Bassway Strip Wildlife Mangement area, near the Minden exit on Interstate 80.

Authorities recovered the body of an adult male who was said to have been in the water for “quite some time.”  At the time, investigators were not able to establish the identity of the man, known as John Doe 16B.  An autopsy was conducted and concluded that the cause of death was drowning, with no evidence of foul play.

Law enforcement reached out to the public through social media outlets and media resources throughout the region.

On July 26, Captain Bob Anderson says the BCSO received numerous tips.  Anderson said that through this information, the man has been identified as 40-year-old David T. Neal.  Anderson said Neal was originally from Iowa but had also lived in Sterling, Colorado.

According to Anderson, Neal was last seen in the Kearney area on May 9.  Investigators learned that Neal had purchased a raft and was observed near the Platte River.

It is unknown what his destination was.