Police investigate the scene where a body was reportedly pulled from the Milwaukee River in front of the Aurora Health Center. Credit: Mike De Sisti

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It is not the ending anyone had hoped for.

For nearly two weeks, family, friends and even strangers had fanned out across downtown Milwaukee, handing out fliers and hoping for a glimpse of 28-year-old Thomas Hecht, who disappeared after a night out with friends March 10.

Those hopes were dashed Thursday when Milwaukee firefighters pulled a man's body from the Milwaukee River near N. Water and E. Pleasant streets - about halfway between the bar where Hecht was last seen and his N. Commerce St. condo.

Sources close to the investigation said the body was Hecht's. Officially, Milwaukee police gave different answers to different media outlets, confirming Hecht's identity to some while telling others, including the Journal Sentinel, that his body wouldn't be identified until later. The Fire Department would not say officially that the body was Hecht's.

A police source said that the death appeared to be accidental and that there was nothing to suggest foul play.

An autopsy is planned for Friday, and positive identification will be made through dental X-rays, the Milwaukee County medical examiner's office said.

Hecht's family members, some of whom were on the scene shortly after the body was recovered, could not be reached for comment Thursday. But condolence messages poured into a Facebook page set up to garner interest in the search:

"My heart is aching for Tom's friends and family," said one message.

"United you all stood as you put forth such brave and determined efforts and actions as you searched for your son, brother, boyfriend, friend and kin," said yet another. "May you all continue to lean on eachother to offer up strength and support to all who loved him, who will cherish memories made with him, and now as we grieve his death. Love & Prayers sent to each and all-- Rest in peace, dear Tom"

Since Hecht's disappearance, fliers with his picture have been posted around downtown and in nearby neighborhoods. On Thursday, messages were left on Web pages devoted to him asking people to help remove those fliers.

Milwaukee firefighters, police and the U.S. Coast Guard, were called to the scene shortly after 11 a.m. Thursday on the report of a body found floating in the river.

The Fire Department's dive rescue team recovered the body, which was removed by the Coast Guard, said Milwaukee Fire Battalion Chief Christopher Snyder.

Snyder said at the scene that the body was that of a male, but stressed there was not enough information to immediately say it was Hecht.

Hecht and a group of friends took part in an early St. Patrick's Day pub crawl March 10. He was wearing a green T-shirt and green beads around his neck.

Hecht was last seen at Rosie's on Water at 1111 N. Water St. He left alone. Friends said he was either going to walk or catch a cab to his condo or head to the Third Ward.

To get home, he likely would have crossed the river on a bridge near where his body was found.