Body Found in River Has Been Identified as Missing Rockford Man

A body was spotted floating in the Rock River this past weekend near Downtown Rockford, and now we know the identity of the deceased man.

According to a press release from the Winnebago County Coroner's Office, a passerby noticed a body floating near the Jefferson Street bridge around 11:10 am on Sunday and immediately called 911.

When emergency crews arrived on the scene, they were able to determine the body was a deceased male, and with the help of the Rockford Fire Department, the decedent was removed from the Rock River and pronounced dead at 12:15 pm.

After completing the autopsy and notifying the next-of-kin, the identity of the deceased man was released by the Coroner.

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The adult male has been identified as 67-year-old Fritz Bailey of Rockford, Illinois. Preliminary autopsy results are "pending further studies at this time."

According to the press release, Fritz Bailey was reported missing from Rockford less than a week earlier on May 14.

An investigation into Bailey's death is ongoing by the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.