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Police: Body Found Near Site Where Swimmer Disappeared Off Croton Point Park

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Westchester County police said Friday that they have recovered a body from the Hudson River near a park where a Brooklyn man disappeared after going for a swim earlier this week.

Police spokesman Kieran O'Leary said a fisherman discovered the body which may be that of Alex DeSouza, 47, about 1/2 mile from the shore shortly before 7 p.m. Friday.

O'Leary said police have not yet positively identified the man, but the body fits the physical description of the missing swimmer.

DeSouza was fishing with two friends at around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday at Tellers Point in Croton Point Park, in Croton-on-Hudson, when he decided to go for a swim, police said.

His friends continued fishing and looked back and noticed he wasn't there any longer, police said. That's when they called the police.

O'Leary said DeSouza's friends saw him walking out into the water before he disappeared.

Officials say swimming in that area is prohibited.

Authorities said the men had planned to check into a cabin Tuesday morning to spend the night, but arrived too early and were killing the time fishing.

"What was supposed to be a fun night and day of camaraderie and fishing ended up with a real unfortunate morning and tragedy," Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino said earlier this week.

Police said they do not believe alcohol was involved. The other two men were taken to the police station for their statements.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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