Body Pulled From Lehigh River Identified As Person Of Interest Who Fled Police

Authorities say the 46-year-old Northampton man was pronounced dead at the scene after being recovered from the river.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 12:18am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 46-year-old Northampton man who was a person of interest and had fled from law enforcement earlier in the week was found dead in the Lehigh River in Coplay, Pennsylvania, authorities announced. The man was pronounced dead at the scene after being recovered from approximately nine feet of water.

Why it matters

The discovery of the body in the river raises questions about the circumstances surrounding the man's death and his previous interactions with police. Authorities are investigating the incident to determine the cause and manner of death.

The details

According to the Lehigh County Coroner's Office, the man's body was recovered around 4:20 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, in the 200 block of North 2nd Street in Coplay. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, to determine the cause and manner of death. Several emergency response agencies, including Northampton Regional EMS, Lehigh Township Fire Department, and Northampton Police Department, assisted in the search and recovery effort.

  • The man fled from law enforcement on Thursday, March 12.
  • The body was recovered from the Lehigh River on Saturday, March 14.
  • An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17.

The players

Daniel A. Buglio

The Lehigh County Coroner who confirmed the identity of the deceased man.

Northampton Regional EMS

One of the emergency response agencies that assisted in the search and recovery effort.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The investigation into the man's death remains active, and authorities are awaiting the results of the autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of thorough investigations into suspicious deaths and the need for cooperation between various emergency response agencies to ensure public safety.