The New Bern community was left unsettled Sunday afternoon after the body of 51‑year‑old Ryan D. Ford was discovered in the Trent River. What began as a calm day near the waterfront shifted abruptly when reports came in about a person spotted in the water. The incident unfolded near the New Bern Grand Marina, an area frequented by boaters and visitors, turning a familiar riverside scene into one marked by concern and confusion.
According to the New Bern Police Department, officers were dispatched shortly after 1:20 p.m. following calls from people who had seen a body floating in the river. When law enforcement arrived, they learned that the individual had already been pulled from the water by those nearby. Officers then secured the area behind 100 Sky Sail Boulevard, where the discovery had been made, and began the initial stages of their investigation.
Emergency responders confirmed that the man was deceased, and authorities soon identified him as Ryan D. Ford. Police noted that he appeared to be a white male in his 50s, consistent with the identification later released. The scene remained active as investigators documented the area and ensured that all immediate evidence was preserved.
Officials have not yet released the cause of death, and early reports indicate that no clear signs of what led to Ford ending up in the river were immediately apparent. The New Bern Police Department stated that next of kin were being notified and that the case had been opened for further investigation. Detectives are continuing to gather information and await additional findings that may clarify the circumstances.
A separate report from WITN confirmed that Ford’s body had been found at a private marina in New Bern and that investigators are still working to determine how he entered the water. Police were called around 1:25 p.m., and the investigation remains active as authorities review all available details.
As the community awaits answers, the Trent River area has become a focal point of concern, with residents expressing sadness over the unexpected loss. The investigation continues, and officials are urging anyone with information to contact law enforcement as they work to uncover what happened in the hours leading up to Ford’s death.
