UPDATE: Police ID Body Found in Rivanna Reservoir

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Updated: 6:01 PM Feb 6, 2012 UPDATE: Police ID Body Found in Rivanna Reservoir Albemarle County Sgt. Darrell Byers has confirmed that the body found in the Rivanna Reservoir on Jan. 26 is that of James Alvin Shifflett, the 69-year-old Earlysville man missing since Dec. 7. Posted: 5:46 PM Feb 6, 2012 Reporter: Rachel Ryan; Frankie Jupiter Email Address: news@newsplex.com

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February 6, 2012

UPDATE

Albemarle County Sgt. Darrell Byers has confirmed that the body found in the Rivanna Reservoir on Jan. 26 is that of James Alvin Shifflett.

Sgt. Byers told CBS19 he received confirmation from the medical examiner's office in Richmond on Monday. However, a cause of death has yet to be determined.

Shifflett, 69, had been missing since Dec. 7. That night, police found his truck abandoned on a bridge over the reservoir just a few miles from his home on Earlysville Road.

A dive team found Shifflett's body during an active search for him.

January 26, 2012

Albemarle County Police Sgt. Darrell Byers tells CBS19 he is "pretty sure" search and rescue crews have found the body of James Alvin Shifflett.

He confirmed a body was found around 1 p.m. Thursday during an active search of the Rivanna Reservoir for the missing Earlysville man. Dive teams found the body on the coast line of the reservoir.

"We were able to look at some preliminary things and based on some of the things we feel fairly certain that it is Mr. Shifflett," Sgt. Byers told CBS19, adding the family has been notified.

The body is being sent to the medical examiner's office in Richmond for a positive ID. At this time, police have not ruled out foul play.

The 69-year-old was last seen the night of Dec. 7 at his home. His red and white Ford F-150 pickup truck was found abandoned on a bridge over the Rivanna Reservoir a few miles from his home. The headlights were on but the keys were not in the car.

It's that spot of the reservoir that search and rescue crews have been scouring since Shifflett disappeared. Water, air and land searches around the South Fork of the Rivanna River and Buck Mountain Farm, where Shifflett worked, have been unsuccessful.

Members of the missing man's family addressed the media last month, calling his disappearance uncharacteristic and offering a $5,000 reward for information that helps police find him. To report any information to help authorities, call the Albemarle County Police Department at 434-296-5807 or Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Really on Feb 7, 2012 at 12:26 PM

Redneck troll! RIP Mr. Shifflett. My thoughts and prayers for your family and friends.

Posted by: thomas Location: USA on Feb 7, 2012 at 09:25 AM

Is this guy kin to the thackers???????

Posted by: Friend of Mr. Shifflett on Feb 7, 2012 at 08:16 AM

NO this doesn't look like a suicide. I knew James and no one will ever make me believe he was in the water willingly. I am sure someone out there knows what really happened and all I can say is they may hide from the community but they can't hide from the LORD and they will have to answer to the good LORD one day. I can't imagine anyone wanting to hurt James. He was always so nice,laughing and joking. But we can't forget there are cruel people in this world. Rest in peace James and to the family: my thoughts and prayers are with you.

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