Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Body discovered in East River as police search for 2 missing boys
By
Catalina Gonella
Published May 18, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
KazT/Shutterstock
By
Catalina Gonella
Published May 18, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Police said they pulled a body from the East River near the Madison Avenue Bridge on Thursday morning.
The discovery came as authorities were still searching for two boys who were reported missing nearby earlier this week. It was not clear if the body belonged to one of the boys, police said, but a family member reportedly told PIX 11 that it was 13-year-old Garret Warren.
Both Warren and 11-year-old Alfa Barrie were last seen on video walking together near 145th Street and Lenox Avenue.
Barrie, who was reported missing on Sunday, was last seen wearing a sweater with a “Democracy Prep Harlem Middle School” logo, gray pants and gray sneakers, police said. Warren was reported missing on Monday and was last seen wearing a tan hoodie over a white T-shirt, as well as black jeans and blue and black Jordan sneakers, according to police.
Deputy Chief Brian Gill said earlier this week that the harbor unit had been deployed in the search, along with other NYPD personnel including the NYPD’s missing persons squad, detective patrol officers in Manhattan and the Bronx, and members of the strategic response group.
“We're going to search land, air and sea — obviously the water's right here. They're young children,” he said. “We're going to take every precaution. We have state-of-the-art equipment for helicopters. We have a harbor unit, and we're going to use all our assets to look for these kids, Gill said.
Tagged
new york city
public safety
Catalina Gonella
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .