Body Found Near Where New York Kayaker Vincent Viafore Went Missing (UPDATED)

Body Found Near Where Kayaker Went Missing

UPDATE: The body has been identified as that of Vincent Viafore, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal.

Original story below:

A body found in the Hudson River on Saturday could be that of the New York kayaker who went missing last month.

Forensic scientist Michael Archer told NBC New York that the body is believed to be that of 46-year-old Vincent Viafore, who disappeared when his kayak overturned on April 19 in choppy water near Bannerman Island, 50 miles north of New York City.

Viafore's fiancée, Angelika Graswald, 35, reported him missing after the pair went kayaking in separate vessels. But authorities now believe she was responsible for his death. She has been charged with second-degree murder.

angelika graswald
Angelika Graswald has been charged with second-degree murder. (New York State Police via AP)

Earlier this month, Orange County Assistant District Attorney Julie Mohl said during a bail hearing that Graswald confessed to tampering with Viafore's kayak and told authorities "it felt good knowing he would die."

"She felt trapped and it was her only way out," Mohl said, according to The Associated Press.

After the hearing, defense attorney Richard Portale said a language barrier between his client, who is a Latvian expatriate, and authorities could be responsible for her statements. He also said he would look into whether she confessed voluntarily.

"I'm skeptical of the statements," he said.

Mohl said Graswald may have been motivated by the $250,000 in life insurance policies she stood to acquire in the event of Viafore's death.

In a jailhouse interview with People magazine, Graswald denied killing her fiancé.

"I'm devastated," she said. "He's always with me ... and he'll always be with me."

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