NewsLocal NewsKzoo/BCCalhoun

Actions

Body found in Kalamazoo River Sunday afternoon

Posted at 3:36 PM, May 11, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-11 15:36:12-04

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Calhoun County undersheriff has confirmed with Fox 17 that a body was found in the Kalamazoo River around 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

The body was found by a Michigan Department of Natural Resources officer patrolling the area by boat.

It has not been confirmed with Fox 17, but it was reported by multiple sources that the body found was 19-year-old Eric Punzo, an Olivet resident who jumped into the river in an effort to save his friend's purse last week. Punzo went missing just before 7 p.m. on Monday, May 4.

Later that Monday evening, first responders believed they were no longer attempting a rescue effort but a recovery, because of the water depth, swift current and time that had passed.

Crews from the Battle Creek police and fire departments, Michigan State Police, DNR, the Calhoun County dive team and the Kalamazoo County dive team assisted in the search efforts.