Sean Carpenter

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Police Department has recovered a body from the Chadakoin River that is believed to be the city man who was reported missing last month.

In a media release sent out Tuesday afternoon, Jamestown Police Captain Robert Samuelson said a passerby spotted the body in the river just off Harrison Street shortly after 1:40 p.m. Tuesday. The body was then recovered and police say they believe it was 35 year-old Sean Carpenter.

Carpenter was last seen walking on Pine Street toward First Street in downtown Jamestown around 1:45 a.m. April 11.  He was reportedly walking toward his home on Superior Street in Jamestown but never made it there.

Samuelson said the body will be brought to the Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo for an autopsy as well as official identification.

The police say they will continue the investigation into Carpenter’s disappearance and what led to his death. The FBI has been assisting Jamestown police with its investigation.  Police had called the city man’s disappearance “suspicious.”

Sheriff’s Deputies stopped a vehicle on Rt. 5 and 20 in the town of Hanover just before 3 a.m. Saturday. During the stop they allegedly found a loaded handgun with a high capacity magazine.

While deputies were securing the firearm, the vehicle fled the scene. Deputies were then led on a high speed through Silver Creek and into the Town of Sheridan. The vehicle eventually crashed in a yard near Route 5 and Newell St.

Police say an unidentified male in the vehicle was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC. Meanwhile a woman who was also in the car – identified as 24 year-old Shakilah William of Buffalo – was transported to Brooks Memorial Hospital by Alstar Ambulance.

Police say charges are pending and the investigation is on-going.

According to police, 16-month-old Nayla Hodnett of 218 1/2 Newland Ave was taken to WCA Hospital’s emergency room by her mother last Wednesday night, before being flown to Buffalo Women & Children’s Hospital for further treatment. The child later died of her injuries Thursday morning.

An autopsy at Erie County Medical Center determined the child died of blunt-force trauma, which means she was more than likely beaten.

Police say no one has been taken into custody yet but the investigation continues. That includes interviewing family members and neighbors, as well as examining evidence at the home. Police say the child’s mother had an on-again, off-again relationship with a local man, but no names are being released.

Anyone who may have information on the case is asked to call the JPD at 483-7537 or the anonymous tip line at 483-TIPS.