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Posted: Wed 2:03 PM, Apr 18, 2012
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UPDATE: Body Of Thomas Hecht Found In Milwaukee River

UPDATED Wednesday, April 18, 2012 --- 2:01 p.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- A 28-year-old man who drowned in a Milwaukee river had a high blood alcohol level.

Thomas Hecht went missing March 10 after a bar crawl with friends. He was pulled from the Milwaukee River 12 days later, not far from where he was last seen in downtown Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office had classified his death as an accidental drowning.

The office said Wednesday his blood alcohol level was .22. Wisconsin's legal driving limit is 0.08 percent.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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UPDATED Tuesday, March 27, 2012 --- 7:50 a.m.

HALES CORNERS, Wis. (AP) -- A Wednesday funeral is planned for a 28-year-old man found dead in the Milwaukee River.

Thomas Hecht went missing March 10 after a bar crawl with friends. He was pulled from the Milwaukee River last Thursday, not far from Water Street in downtown Milwaukee where he was last seen.

The Milwaukee Medical Examiner's Office has classified his death as an accidental drowning.

WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee reports (http://bit.ly/GVwBxB) there will be a memorial service at a Hales Corners funeral home Wednesday afternoon, followed by a funeral.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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UPDATED Friday, March 23, 2012 --- 1:00 p.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Milwaukee County medical examiner has identified the body recovered from a river near downtown Milwaukee as that of a 28-year-old man who had been missing for nearly two weeks.

The body of Thomas Hecht was pulled from the Milwaukee River Thursday morning not far from Water Street in downtown Milwaukee where he was last seen March 10. Friends told police Hecht had been with them on a pub crawl and left by himself. Toxicology tests are pending.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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UPDATED Thursday, March 22, 2012 --- 12:25 p.m.

From WITI-TV:

Police believe they’ve recovered the body of 28-year-old Thomas Hecht from the Milwaukee River near 1500 RiverCenter Dr. in Milwaukee’s downtown.

Police say a positive ID will have to be determined by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner.

The Milwaukee Fire Department received a call this morning around 11:10 a.m. about a body in the Milwaukee River. The fire department says the body they recovered was fully clothed.

Hecht was last seen Saturday, March 10th at Rosie’s bar on Water St. while participating in the Shamrock Shindig pub crawl. The friends of Hecht has been searching for him for almost two weeks until MPD discovered a body they believe is Hecht.

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UPDATED Wednesday, March 14, 2012 --- 11:34 a.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Milwaukee police are still searching for a 28-year-old man missing since the weekend.

Family members reported Thomas Hecht missing Sunday night, saying it was uncharacteristic for him to be gone so long without contacting anyone. He was last seen at a bar in downtown Milwaukee Saturday night.

Police spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz said Wednesday the harbor patrol unit has been searching the Milwaukee River since Monday. They are using sonar and divers are going in to inspect anything sizeable.

The family has also posted flyers around the city and the information is circulating through social media.

Police say Hecht was last wearing a green T-shirt with a St. Patrick's Day inscription on the front and green party beads around his neck.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press

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Posted: Monday, March 12, 2012 --- 1:35 p.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Milwaukee police are searching for a missing 28-year-old man.

Family members reported Thomas Hecht missing Sunday night, saying it was uncharacteristic for him to be gone so long without contacting anyone. He was last seen at a bar in downtown Milwaukee Saturday night.

Police spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz said Monday they are searching the area of bars where he was last seen and interviewing family and friends.

She says he was wearing a green T-shirt with a St. Patrick's Day inscription on the front and green party beads around his neck.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press

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  • by Anne Location: Minnesota on Apr 22, 2012 at 02:33 AM
    This same thing has happened so many times in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and in other places around the country. I live in a river town, and the bars are very close to the river . Yet, it has not yet happened here. I personally think something is fishy with all of these cases. I really do think they are related.
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  • by Dave Location: Waunakee on Apr 18, 2012 at 04:21 PM
    Each one of them has one common element: over-consumption of alcohol. So yes, they are related. With rare exception, the victims are men in prime physical condition; many are athletes. Police reports indicate no sign of a struggle. So put the conspiracy theories to rest, and may God grant the Hecth family peace.
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  • by Anonymous on Apr 18, 2012 at 03:20 PM
    of course they are related they all involve alcohol.
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  • by Jamie D on Mar 27, 2012 at 01:15 PM
    My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. In all seriousness though, how often have we heard this type of disappearance before, only to result in a body in a river/lake? This is getting to be a common news story hear in Wisconsin. I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering if any of these are related?
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  • by Sarai Miranda Location: Illinois on Mar 23, 2012 at 11:19 AM
    My God give the Hecth Family the strengh they need for this difficult time. My prayer are with the Hecth family on their loss.
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  • by Anonymous on Mar 22, 2012 at 08:14 PM
    Drunk and falling in the rivers, a commonplace occurrence lately. Will people ever learn?
    [ Report Abuse ]
  • by Tony Location: Hartford on Mar 22, 2012 at 03:01 PM
    I am so sorry to hear of this news, we were all praying for a better outcome. The one shining star of this tragedy is how the community stepped up assisted the Hecht family and friends on their search efforts, a true tribute to Tom and his family. My thoughts and prayers are with the Hecht family on their loss.
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