Pennsylvania

Medical Examiner: Autopsy on Remains of Shane Montgomery Complete

UPDATE: Funeral arrangements for Shane


The death of Shane Montgomery was likely an accident, according to his family.

The Philadelphia medical examiner's office confirmed Sunday Shane's autopsy is complete. While the official results have not yet been made public, Shane's uncle Kevin Verbrugghe told NBC10 his nephew's death was likely accidental, based on conversations he's had with investigators.

Officials have not confirmed the body pulled from the Schuylkill River Saturday is the 21-year-old Roxborough native, however his parents, Karen and Kevin Montgomery, identified the remains as their son a few hours after divers made their discovery.

Police sources told NBC10 he was wearing the same clothes his family remembered him wearing the night of his disappearance.

The West Chester University senior was last seen early Thanksgiving morning after leaving leaving Kildare's Irish Pub, located on Main Street in the city's Manayunk neighborhood, around 1:45 a.m.

Surveillance video captured Shane walking toward the Schuylkill River after he left the bar, a key piece of evidence that led investigators back to the water as search efforts continued.  Three weeks into the investigation, a group of volunteer divers from Garden State Underwater Recovery Unit found the Roman Catholic High School alum's keys in the river.

The discovery Saturday ended a harrowing five weeks for his family members, who told NBC10 they texted Shane every day since he went missing.

Kevin Verbrugghe said he texted his nephew "come home" Saturday morning.  Hours later, his body was found.

"Today we have done what we promised," Karen said, choking back tears as she stood alongside her husband in the frigid rain. "We found and brought Shane home."

As the parents concluded their remarks, they asked for the public to respect their privacy at this time.

"We need time to mourn together as a family," said Karen, her voice cracking as she looked up from the paper in her hands for the first time. Her full statement has been posted to the Help Find Shane Montgomery Facebook page.

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