Press Releases
05/18/2026
Body found in Connecticut River positively identified as 63-year-old man from Holyoke, MA
DEEP EnCon Police assisting Massachusetts State Police with investigation
(HARTFORD)- The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) have positively identified a body recently located in the Connecticut River as a missing Massachusetts man.
On May 9, 2026, at approximately 1223 hours, a vessel reported seeing a body in the Connecticut River in the area of the Chester-Lyme Ferry.
EnCon Police and Connecticut State Police responded, along with the Lyme and Chester Fire Departments. Chester Fire Department was able to locate and recover the body using their fire vessel where they pronounced the person deceased.
The identity of this person was not immediately known. EnCon Investigators were able to match known records to an individual who was reported as missing from Massachusetts. Massachusetts State Police were contacted and provided records to the State Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). The OCME positively identified the individual as Donald Plasse age 63, from Holyoke Mass. Mr. Plasse went missing on January 13, 2026, following an incident near the Connecticut River in South Hadley, Mass. Investigators with the EnCon Police are assisting Massachusetts State Police with their investigation.
The DEEP Encon Police extend their condolences to Mr. Plasse’s family and loved ones.
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Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.Communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110