The body of Corey Ingram, the Poughkeepsie sailor who was missing at sea following the collision of the USS John McCain, has been recovered, according to his family.

The 28-year-old 2nd Class Information Systems Technician was one of nine crew members who couldn't be found following the fatal accident Monday, in which the U.S. Navy warship collided with a 600-foot tanker off the coast of Malaysia.

Jacqueline Ingram, Corey Ingram’s mother, said a representative from the Navy told her about the discovery of her son’s body Saturday evening.

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“He said, ‘We have Corey,’” she said. “I was sad but at least I know that they found him, because not knowing was the hardest part for me. Not knowing and waiting.”

The Navy hasn’t released the body, Jacqueline Ingram said, and the family has yet to begin making plans for a funeral service.

She said Sunday she felt “overwhelmed” by the support of friends, family and the City of Poughkeepsie community, like the city fire house at 505 Main Street that had flags lowered to half-staff and a sign reading “In Memory of Petty 2nd Class Corey Ingram USN” Sunday.

“It’s good to know that people remember Corey and know he’s a good person,” she said. “He served his country, and that’s all he wanted to do. To protect and serve.”

Search efforts for missing sailors were suspended Thursday after the Navy spent more than 80 hours covering a 2,100-square mile area, though the Navy intended to continue its search in flooded ship compartments.

Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, said the investigation into the cause of the accident is continuing.

Family of Corey Ingram reflected Thursday on his quick wit that could light up a room, and on all of the love he had in his home of Poughkeepsie.

“Poughkeepsie’s such a tight-knit community, there’s so much love,” Sherona Gardner, Corey Ingram’s cousin, said. “He has a big family and people supporting him all around the neighborhood, and that’s part of the reason why he wanted to join the Navy and see the world.”

Ingram attended Poughkeepsie High School. Bob Murphy, interim athletic director at the school, served as its principal from 2001 to 2006. Murphy said Thursday he knew Ingram from school and his daughter, a 2007 graduate, was friends with him.

“He was like most our students — good people, come to school, take care of business, move through our system and set themselves up to be productive members of society, which obviously he had accomplished,” Murphy said.

City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison expressed "great sadness" that Ingram was missing in a statement Thursday.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Corey’s family, friends and fellow shipmates," the statement said.

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-Cold Spring, called the loss of Ingram "heartbreaking" in a statement Thursday.

“Petty Officer Ingram is an American hero and this tragedy is a reminder of the risks that our service members take every day to keep our country safe,” Maloney said.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro released a statement Sunday evening reading, "Corey is an American hero who admirably defended his nation, selflessly giving of himself to protect his neighbors here in Dutchess and throughout America. The freedom we enjoy does not come freely; courageous men and women like Corey serve valiantly, ensuring our safety and preserving our liberty."

Jack Howland: jhowland@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4870, Twitter: @jhowl04. Journal reporters Geoff Wilson and Nina Schutzman contributed to this report.