September 14th, 2015 by WCBC Radio
On Monday morning, 09/14/2015, at 9:05 AM, the Cumberland Police responded to the area near the “Blue Bridge”, where Will’s Creek empties into the North Branch of the Potomac River, for a reported body found in the water. A passer-by observed what they thought was a body submerged in the water at that location and contacted law enforcement.
The first responding Officer confirmed that it was a body. A request was made to the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I) for assistance in the investigation.
Investigators responded to the location and conducted interviews with several subjects in the area. Crime Scene Technicians with the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division also responded to process the scene for evidence.
A Forensic Investigator with the Maryland State Medical Examiner’s Office also responded. The body was examined by Investigators for obvious signs of trauma. None was located.
The body was removed from the water by the Cumberland Fire Department, and will be transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore for autopsy to determine the cause of death.
The victim has been identified as 26 year old William Robert Bernier, of Cumberland, who was last seen by family members on 09/10/2015.
There is no foul play suspected at this time, but Investigators are asking anyone with information about Bernier and his whereabouts since Thursday to contact the C3I Unit, at 301-777-0326.
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