The body recovered Sunday from waters off Manchester-by-the-Sea has been positively identified as James Wolcott, 37, of Hamilton, who had been missing since a fatal boating accident off Singing Beach on October 3.
The Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker confirmed Friday that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identified Wolcott as the individual recovered approximately 1.5 miles off the Manchester shoreline.
The discovery brings an end to nearly four weeks of uncertainty surrounding Wolcott's disappearance following the accident involving Sasparilla, a Manchester-registered recreational powerboat that was found submerged off Singing Beach.
Wolcott's body was discovered by a local fisherman Sunday, October 25. Authorities received the report at approximately 11:30 a.m., prompting a response by Manchester police, fire and harbormaster personnel.
The Manchester Harbormaster's boat transported the body to Tuck's Point, where local public safety personnel were waiting.
Police and firefighters initially assembled at the Manchester Yacht Club launch dock before repositioning to the adjacent public dock to receive the harbormaster's vessel. The body was brought ashore and transferred to authorities.
Manchester Police Chief Mark McCoy said the work performed Sunday by local police, fire and harbormaster personnel is among the most difficult responsibilities public safety officials face.
Wolcott was one of three men aboard Sasparilla when the vessel was involved in an accident off Singing Beach on Saturday, October 3.
Carl Potter, 67, of Beverly, died following the accident. A third man, Randy Ayer, 65, of Hamilton, survived and was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital. A dog aboard the vessel was recovered alive.
The Coast Guard and multiple local and state agencies mounted an extensive search for Wolcott, deploying rescue vessels, aircraft and specialized underwater sonar equipment. The Coast Guard suspended its active search on October 4 after approximately 20 hours.
In an earlier interview with the Manchester Cricket, Coast Guard Sector Boston Public Affairs Ensign Duncan Lemarbre said preliminary evidence suggested Sasparilla, a twin-hulled powerboat equipped with four outboard engines, may have struck a submerged object, possibly a rock formation, at a high rate of speed.
Investigators observed damage to both hulls, including extensive damage to the bottom of the left hull. The vessel was subsequently recovered and transported to Crocker's Boat Yard in Manchester as part of the investigation.
In Friday's statement confirming Wolcott's identification, the Essex County District Attorney's Office said the investigation into the cause of the accident remains ongoing.
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