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Searchers find body of missing fisherman

FRANKLIN TWP — Nearing the end of a second consecutive all-day search, authorities Monday evening found the body of a 42-year-old Westmoreland County man missing in Lake Arthur.

Matthew Parys’ body turned up in a nearly 10-foot-deep section of water about 35 to 40 yards from the Route 528 boat launch at Moraine State Park.

Searchers found the body not far from where Parys was last seen before he jumped or fell off a pontoon boat early Sunday morning after a night fishing trip with three friends.

The discovery about 7 p.m. came after a 10-hour scouring of the water using state police sonar boats — one with a tow-able side scan sonar unit, park officials said.

By air, a police helicopter crew supported in the search effort.

Butler County Deputy Coroner Dennis Trzeciak pronounced Parys dead at 7:15 p.m.

An autopsy was done later that night, but the findings were not available this morning.

“This was a clear-cut accident,” said Jake Weiland, the assistant manager at Moraine State Park. “There’s nothing suspicious whatsoever.”

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