A body has been found in Twelve Mile Creek, a short distance downriver from where Niagara-on-the-Lake native Liam Neumann disappeared.

The body was discovered Saturday by a member of the public, police spokesperson Const. Philip Gavin told The Lake Report.

“Due to the hazardous location of the body, recovery could not occur until water levels were lowered by Ontario Power Generation,” he said.

Gavin said the rapids and speedy current in that area of the creek made it too dangerous for the police.

Once the water level was reduced, members of the police marine unit were able to recover the body.

Gavin said the body could not be identified and has been sent to a coroner in Toronto for examination. 

The discovery came one day after police stopped actively searching for Neumann.

Neumann was reported missing on the evening of Sunday, June 25. He was last seen trying to retrieve his raft and dog from the fast-flowing creek. 

The body was found not far from where Neumann vanished.

Police actively searched for him from June 26 to 29.

Friends and family also joined the search for the Niagara-on-the-Lake native, who frequently camped near the creek.

Gavin was uncertain about how long it would take to identify the body.

Neumann’s mother, Barbara Worthy, said she is sure it is her son.

“They found his body on Saturday” and police should have a positive identification “within a couple of days,” she said on Monday, July 3.