Emergency personnel recovered the body of a missing Greenville woman in the Souhegan River Tuesday afternoon.
Mary Ellen Casey, 42, had been reported missing at about 3 p.m. Monday. In a subsequent search, Greenville-Temple Police Chief Jim McTague said that they found personal items of Casey’s on the shore of the Souhegan River, near Mill Street.
After a search that went until sunset Monday, officers from NH Fish and Game were called in Tuesday to help with the search. At about 10 a.m., a Conservation Officer located a body in the river. Due to high water levels, the Bedford Fire Department Swift Water Rescue team was called in. Casey’s body was recovered at about 2 p.m.
McTague said that the location of Casey’s body was about a quarter of a mile from where law enforcement believes she went into the water.
“Obviously we don’t know why she went into the water,” McTague said. “We don’t know if she fell, don’t know if she was swimming, we don’t know. Probably never will know.”
The case, McTague said, is now with the medical examiner. According to Fish and Game, foul play is not considered to be a factor. The Fish and Game Department said that due to high levels of rain over the past few days, water levels in rivers are high and dangerous, and advised against going near or into rivers.
Casey’s longtime friend Kim Duthie of Greenville described Casey as “amazing,” dedicated to her work, her loved ones, and her dog, Roodey.
“She was just bubbly, the life of the party,” Duthie said. To those closest to her, Duthie said, Casey went by her last name.
“If you needed anything, she would give it to you,” Duthie said. “She would help anybody without even questioning it.”
Stephanie Canelas, who said she is the best friend of Casey’s sister, said that she has known Casey since they were children.
“She was a really nice person who loved making people laugh,” Canelas said. “It’s so sad and unfortunate.”