HOOKSETT, N.H. – During continued search efforts for a missing person in the Merrimack River, a body was recovered.
After being temporarily suspended overnight due to darkness, the search resumed around 8 a.m. Sunday, April 12, 2026. At approximately 9:15 a.m., members of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Dive Team located and recovered a body from the river.
The victim, later identified as Jeremiah Willey, 25, of Allenstown, is believed to have accidentally fallen into the river while on a railroad bridge near Riverside Street in Hooksett. A witness observed him struggling to stay above the surface before he submerged and did not resurface.
During the search operations, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Dive Team deployed boats equipped with side-scan sonar, along with divers, to conduct a systematic search of the area. State Troopers and New Hampshire State Police – Marine Patrol Officers also assisted with search efforts on the water.
New Hampshire State Police – Marine Patrol was assisted on scene by personnel from State Police Troop D, Troop G, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Dive Team, Hooksett Police Department, Hooksett Fire Department, and the New Hampshire Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The victim’s death is not considered suspicious at this time and remains under active investigation. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Trooper First Class Christopher Prenaveau at (603) 223-8620 or Christopher.J.Prenaveau@dos.nh.gov.
Authorities did not identify the person Saturday night and paused the search until daylight Sunday.
HOOKSETT, N.H. – The New Hampshire State Police and multiple assisting agencies are searching for a missing person in the Merrimack River.
At 7:08 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026, the State Police Communications Unit received a report that an individual fell into the Merrimack River from the railroad track bridge in the area of Riverside Street and Main Street in Hooksett.
Personnel from multiple agencies responded and conducted coordinated search efforts along the river, including State Police – Marine Patrol officers, Troopers assigned to the Troop D and Troop G barracks, and members of the Hooksett Police Department, Hooksett Fire-Rescue Department, Hopkinton Police Department, and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. First responders used boats to search the water and riverbanks, as well as drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras.
Search operations continued for several hours but have been temporarily paused overnight. Search efforts are expected to resume during the daylight hours on Sunday.
The identity of the missing individual is being withheld pending the ongoing investigation. There is no known threat to the public at this time in connection with this incident.
This incident remains under active investigation and anyone with information that may assist is asked to contact Trooper First Class Christopher Prenaveau at (603) 223-8620 or Christopher.J.Prenaveau@dos.nh.gov.