Etika missing: Body found near Manhattan Bridge as search for YouTuber continues

Update, June 15, 1:15pm EST: NYPD have now confirmed that the body found was Etika, pronounced dead aged 29.

The New York Police Department have confirmed that a body has been recovered from the East River in Manhattan, as the search for missing YouTuber Desmond ‘Etika’ Amofah continues.

The NYPD stated that they had responded to an emergency call at 6:18pm on Monday, June 24, which reported that a body could be seen floating in the river. 

The body was recovered from the water, with the unidentified male pronounced dead at the scene.

The NYPD recovered the body of an unidentified male from the East River.

In a statement released by the NYPD, the department wrote: “The medical examiner will determine the cause of death, and the investigation is ongoing. Identification of the deceased is pending proper family notification. The medical examiner will confirm identification.”

It is expected that it may be a few days before there is any official word on the identity of the man.

Etikia has been missing since June 19.

The discovery of the unidentified male comes as the search for Etika continues, with a bag alongside a number of his personal items such as cell phone, his New York state driver’s license, and his wallet which found scattered across the Manhattan Bridge.

Inside the bag, police found his Nintendo Switch console, and items of clothing including a shirt, shorts, and a pair of underwear.

The 29-year-old has been missing since Wednesday, June 19, with the YouTuber releasing a concerning video on his channel titled “I’m Sorry” in which he alluded to committing suicide.

• Read More: Who is Etika and why are the NYPD searching for him?

The video has since been removed for violating YouTube’s Terms of Service, and his Twitch account has also been taken down. His Twitter and Instagram accounts remain live, however there have been no updates posted to either social media channel since his disappearance.

The New York Police Department are still investigating his disappearance.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, or know anyone that is, and you would like to talk to someone, please reach out and call the Suicide Prevention Helpline 1-800-273-8255 (USA) or the Samaritans 116-123 (UK).