New Milford Police identify man found dead in Housatonic River

NEW MILFORD — A Brooklyn, N.Y., man drowned in the Housatonic River on Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Xavier Puin, 34, was swimming just off the riverbank when a member of his family saw him slip underwater for an unknown reason, according to police.

The family called 911 at 3:38 p.m. Scores of first responders joined a search around the swimming area near 11 Pickett District Road, with a command post at 143 West St. in New Milford.

Divers found Puin’s body about two hours later, according to police.

The search drew the efforts of half a dozen town agencies, including the New Milford Police Dive Team, Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue team, state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Resources in Search and Rescue K-9 team, Water Witch Fire Company, New Milford Ambulance and Paramedic and a helicopter from the Stratford Police Department.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an investigation.