A body pulled from the Ohio River on Sunday is that of Helene Brandy, a 25-year-old kayaker who had been missing since May 21 after she and another woman were swept over a dam.
Beaver County Coroner David J. Gabauer made the announcement Tuesday evening, saying he used partial dental records to identify the body, as well as circumstances and demographics.
Ms. Brandy was kayaking with Brittany Evans, also 25, when they were swept over the Dashields Locks and Dam in Edgeworth on May 21.
Ms. Evans’ body was found later that day, but Ms. Brandy was missing for nine days. What turned out to be her body was found downstream in the Ohio River near Aliquippa on Sunday.
During the search for her body, Ms. Brandy’s family members spent days waiting along the river, and at one point family members rented their own boat and joined the effort.
After the women were swept over the dam, Ms. Brandy’s family was outspoken in their belief that the signs posted upstream to warn boaters of the dam’s danger were inadequate.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Friday announced a plan to add seven more warning buoys to the area.
Ken Brandy, Ms. Brandy’s uncle, remembers Ms. Brandy as a spunky cheerleader and gymnast with a zest for life. He said last week that the additional warning buoys would be a welcome addition.
“If any good can come from this … we just want to prevent more loss of life,” he said.
Shelly Bradbury: sbradbury@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1999.
First Published: May 30, 2017, 9:49 p.m.
Updated: May 30, 2017, 9:55 p.m.
