Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Missing man’s body found in Brisbane River
Police have found the body of a man who disappeared in the Brisbane River over the weekend while drinking with friends at a popular barbecue spot.
January 21, 2019
A Queensland man’s body has been found days after he disappeared into the Brisbane River after drinking with friends.
Matt Jarvis, 34, was last seen struggling in the river near the bottom of the Kangaroo Point cliffs about 7.40pm on Saturday before slipping under the dark brown water.
No one saw him enter the water.
They only heard a splash after he walked away from the large group he’d been socialising with at the popular barbecue spot, opposite the Brisbane CBD.
“He walked off from the group to the river’s edge … they then heard a rustling in the trees and a splash and called out, ‘I think that’s Matt’,” a police spokeswoman told AAP.
Three friends dived in to try and reach Mr Jarvis, who was not a strong swimmer, but they couldn’t help him.
Mr Jarvis has been described as a “character” and “terrific” by shocked friends who took to social media following the discovery of his body on Monday.
“Rest In Peace Matty. My heartfelt condolences and prayers to his family and loved ones. He truly was a great guy to work with,” Elsabe Welsh said on Facebook.
“RIP Jarvis, hadn’t seen you in a long time but you were a beautiful soul and will be sorely missed,” Melissa Muhs said.
A search operation throughout Saturday night and Sunday using divers, boats and helicopters failed to find Mr Jarvis.
Police found his body in the river at 9.45am on Monday.