BREAKING: Body of missing man recovered in Fall River pond

By Ana Bottary

abottary@abc6.com

@anabottary

UPDATE: The Bristol County District Attorney announced Tuesday the body of 35-year-old Emerson Belirio was found in South Watuppa Pond in Fall River. His body is now being sent to the medical examiner.

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A 3 day search in Fall River continued Monday, after the family says 35 year old Emerson Belirio went into the water and never resurfaced. It happened at South Watuppa pond Saturday afternoon.

Friends and family hoping for a miracle, gathered at the site to watch the search by Fall River Police, Fire, Emergency Management, Environmental Police and State Police unfold. Two men who work for Emerson’s company, Emerson-Belirio construction, waited on shore. They tell us he was a hard worker and a family man. Adding, he was not only a boss to them, but much more. 

"He is my best friend, everybody loved him,"says friend Clo Pinezegher.

"He’s good people he has a good heart. He’s like a brother, he special people. today, can’t find people like that," adds friend Sammy Oliviera.

Emerson, along with his wife, two children and another married couple were on the 20 ft boat at the time of the incident. According to family, who did not want to go on camera, he dove in to the water and never resurfaced. But they did say he could swim. It’s unknown if he was wearing a life vest or not. Those who live in Fall River say the water is not safe for swimming. 

"It’s dangerous sometimes because people go swimming here and they don’t know how to swim and that’s a problem when you’re in freshwater you don’t stay on the top you go down not the same thing with salt water," says Roberto Cortes from Fall River.

According to the Bristol county DA’s office, there is no foul play suspected and alcohol did not seek to have a role in the incident. 

(c)WLNE-TV 2016