Missing man's body found in SR Creek
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP, Lawrence County — The body of a missing New Castle man was found in Slippery Rock Creek on Thursday following an lengthy search.
Investigators suspect 49-year-old Jeffrey G. Alborn committed suicide after jumping off a bridge on Route 422 and into the creek near McConnells Mill State Park.
But some questions apparently remain, authorities said, such as the reason for blood that state police found in Alborn's pickup truck, which was parked on the side of the bridge with the engine still running.
Lawrence County Deputy Coroner Sam Teolis declined this morning to discuss the findings of an autopsy conducted Thursday night.
“I need more time to consult with the pathologist,” Teolis said when asked what caused Alborn's death.
He said he planned to meet later this morning with forensic pathologist Jim Smith of the Beaver Valley Medical Center.
Teolis acknowledged it appeared Alborn died of “an apparent suicide.”
Police said a passing motorist called 911 about 5:30 a.m. to report seeing a man standing near a bridge railing on Route 422 that overlooks Slippery Rock Creek.
The bridge stands about 50 feet above the creek, according to Chief George Johnson of the Slippery Rock Township Volunteer Fire Department.
The creek, he said, varies in depth from shallow to about 12 feet.
Troopers got there and found Alborn's truck. There was “more than just a drop of blood” on the driver's seat, Johnson said, and a blood trail leading from the truck to the edge of the bridge.
The call triggered an extensive search that included dozens of firefighters and swift water rescue specialists and several cadaver dogs.
State police also provided sonar equipment and a helicopter.
At 2:30 p.m., rescuers found Alborn's body about a quarter-mile downstream from the bridge.
Assisting in the search were fire departments from Slippery Rock and Scott townships and Wurtemburg-Perry Township in Lawrence County, and Portersville in Butler County.
Also called in was Neshannock Township Fire Department's swift water rescue team, and Hickory Township and Volant's joint high-angle rope and rescue team.
