Missing Southborough man's body pulled from Charles River near locks

BOSTON — A body was pulled from the Charles River near the locks Sunday morning, according to Massachusetts State Police.

The family of a missing Southborough man has confirmed that it was Michael Kelleher, who disappeared after a Celtics game.

“They always say you never think it’ll happen to you, but here we are. I can’t even fathom,” his mother, Lori, told FOX25 on March 31.

His parents and friends scoured the city after he didn't turn up after the game. His cell phone last pinged on Tremont Street near the Common. Eventually, the search turned to the river.

Dive teams had searched the water a couple of weeks ago near the Museum of Science, but nothing had turned up. On Sunday, the body of a Kelleher was recovered a few minutes after it was initially spotted and reported, shortly after 9 a.m.

The family thanked everyone who helped in the search for their son.

"We would also like to thank everyone who prayed for Michael's safe return, forwarded pics, gave ideas to find him, canvassed all of Boston and Cambridge with his "Missing" flyers, spoke to the media, detectives, police and PI," said Lori and Mike Kelleher.

Kelleher was only 23 and lived in Southborough with his mom and two sisters. He had been at the Celtics game with a coworker.

"Nothing can make up the loss of our son," said Lori and Mike in a statement.

Police did not initially release a cause of death.

The search for Kelleher caused many to speculate over similar disappearances of young men in Boston.  Last year, another young man, Zachary Marr, left the popular bar Bell and Hand and was later found in the Charles River. In that case, police determined there was no foul play. 

“It's a tragedy, but I think the videos we've seen follow his progress and every indication to us he went into the water,” said Boston Police Commissioner William Evans in February 2016.

The medical examiner will determine the cause of death for Kelleher. Police are still investigating the circumstances of the disappearance.

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