Authorities try to identify remains found near Mon
Thursday, August 31, 2006
By Jim McKinnon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Human remains found last night along the Monongahela River in Forward are being examined today by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner.
Speculation is that the remains could be those of Steven Berry Jr., 35, a Washington County man who, with a fishing buddy, disappeared April 22 after they fell from their boat on the Mon in Fayette County.
The body of one of the men, Trent A. Stupak, 40, of Washington, Pa., was recovered a week later on April 29 down river from the Maxwell Lock and Dam, where the 16-foot boat had capsized.
Cristy Berry, Mr. Berry's wife, held out hope that her husband would be found soon after.
Last night, a woman walking along the Monongahela River reported finding human bones along the east bank, across the water from Allegheny Power Co.'s Mitchell Station and near the Molnar Marina off Molnar Road in Forward, the medical examiner said.
There is no confirmation today that the remains found last night are those of Mr. Berry. The medical examiner said today that a tentative identification has been made, but investigators are waiting to check dental records for a positive conclusion.
Mrs. Berry, 34, declined comment today, except to say that she and their two children and other relatives are waiting for word from the medical examiner. An investigator for the medical examiner said it may take until tomorrow to make positive identification.
