| ELDERSBURG - A three-week search for a Randallstown man ended Sunday afternoon when his body was found by a boater in Liberty Reservoir near Eldersburg.
The body of Rodney Earl Goggins Jr., 20, was found around 2:45 p.m. Sunday by a boater who reported seeing it floating near the shoreline in 1 foot of water, said Luke Brackett, chief ranger of the Baltimore City Watershed Rangers. When they arrived at the scene, rangers located a partially decomposed body in a remote area of dense shoreline vegetation.
Sheriff's investigators did not find any obvious signs of trauma on Goggins' body, which will be transferred to the state medical examiner for an autopsy, he said.
Goggins' body was identified based on information provided by the family to the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, the Baltimore City Watershed Rangers and the Gamber volunteer fire company rescue dive team, said Maj. Phil Kasten, of the sheriff's office. The cause of death is currently unknown and the investigation, being led by the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, is still under way.
Goggins was reported missing by family members, who last saw him in the 4000-block of Rouen Road in Randallstown at 11 a.m. May 29. He left to visit a friend on Kenwood Avenue in Baltimore, where his friend said Goggins left late that evening. A family member reported him missing to the Baltimore County Police Department May 30. Goggins's black 2000 Buick was found parked on a bridge at the reservoir June 1.
The initial search effort involved dozens of county and state police, state police cadets, Baltimore County volunteers, Carroll County volunteers and Baltimore fire company personnel. The search also involved helicopters, bloodhounds and K-9 police dogs, as well as marine search equipment.
Goggins began training as a firefighter recruit EMT in March, said Kevin Cartwright, spokesman for the Baltimore City Fire Department. Cartwright said Goggins was a "stellar trainee" and he will be missed.
"This has been a daunting three weeks, just knowing our recruit has gone missing," Cartwright said. "It's been an overwhelming challenge for the family and we're happy, in a sense, that it will bring some closure to the family."
Goggins was a team player, a leader and he excelled during his short tenure, said Lloyd Carter, director of education and training at the Baltimore City Fire Department. Carter knew Goggins prior to his tenure at the fire department. Goggins was almost two months into a five month process of being recruited, Carter said.
"He would have been a welcome addition to the department," Carter said.
Several well-wishers began leaving condolences and prayers for Goggins' family Sunday evening on a Facebook page called Missing Rodney Goggins JR that was launched about three weeks ago.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Detective Corporal Carlos Bustos, of the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, at 410-386-2900, or the Anonymous TIPS hot line at 1-888-399-TIPP.
Reach staff writer Peter Panepinto at 410-857-7890 or peter.panepinto@carrollcountytimes.com.
From WBAL http://www.wbaltv.com/news/28288886/detail.html |
