ITHACA, N.Y. — Robert McKeen, age 37, has been identified as the individual discovered Monday evening near the banks of a shallow creek under the Cecil A. Malone Bridge on Cecil Malone Drive. McKeen was found deceased upon the arrival of emergency personnel.
Ithaca Police Department Chief Tom Kelly confirmed McKeen’s identity Thursday afternoon. At this time, Kelly said, McKeen’s death “does not appear suspicious.”
More information will be available pending toxicology results, Kelly said. He added that McKeen has a “known history” of overdoses and “evidence of recent use” located at the scene.
Police were originally called around 5:12 p.m. Monday for a report of an unconscious man who was found not breathing. Ithaca Fire Department (IFD) spokesperson Jim Wheal confirmed that IFD’s extrication team had been called to the scene to help retrieve the body of a man in cardiac arrest.
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