PROSPECT — The body of a Holden man was found in the Penobscot River Monday afternoon after a passerby reported an abandoned vehicle on the Penobscot Narrows Bridge connecting Waldo and Hancock counties.

Waldo County Chief Deputy Jeff Trafton said Jeffery Landwehr, 51, committed suicide sometime before 3:20 a.m., which is when a woman reported an unoccupied beige truck in the eastbound breakdown lane of the bridge with no one nearby.

"She saw the truck on the bridge and waited until she got to work at Verson paper Mill in Bucksport to call it in," said Trafton. A second call about the abandoned truck was made to 911 at 3:46 a.m.

Deputy Benjamin Seekins responded to the scene along with boats from the Maine Marine Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard, and Stockton, Bucksport and the Orland fire departments. Trafton said a wallet and cell phone were found inside the truck by first responders.

At 1:24 p.m. the dispatch center received a phone call reporting the possible sighting of a body on the mill side of the river. Seekins and Marine Patrol units responded and found Landwehr's body, and confirmed it was a suicide.

———————————————————————————

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached by email at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or by calling 207-706-6655.