POLICE are today expected to name the man whose body was pulled from the River Derwent in Derby.
Police said yesterday they believed they knew the identity of the man who was recovered from the river, close to North Parade, shortly after 4pm on Friday.
He will be "formally identified" this morning, after which his name will be released to the public.
Police have previously said that they believed the man to be aged 18 to 30, 6ft 2ins tall, with short, mousey-coloured hair.
Yesterday, a police spokesman said the cause of death was yet to be established, and inquiries were ongoing to understand the events that had led to his death.
Locals described the area, near Derby Rowing Club, as being cordoned off for a number of hours while the police investigation took place.
A force spokesman said yesterday: "Derbyshire police believe they have now established the identity of he body recovered from the river Derwent near to North Parade on Friday afternoon.
"A formal identification has not yet been carried out and we are not currently naming the person.
"A cause of death has yet to be established, and inquiries are ongoing to understand the events that have lead to the death."
Audrey Parmenter, 61, of North Parade, said she saw a number of cars and officers at the scene at about 5pm on Friday.
She said: "The bridge that crosses over to Chester Green was cordoned off and there must have been three or four police cars.
"The blue and white police tape was pulled out and no-one was allowed to get close to the scene.
"My thoughts are with the family of the young man."
Louise Fee owns McFee's Stores, on the corner of Margaret Street and Arthur Street, close to where the grim discovery was made.
She said: "The area was gridlocked to traffic because the police cordoned it off and no-one was allowed down to the river or down the road.
"People were coming into the shop asking me if I knew what was happening but, of course, I didn't.
"I have five sons myself and when I heard there had been a body pulled from the water a shudder went down my spine.
"I hate to think what his wife, mother or children or family are thinking.
"My heart goes out to them."
Jonathan Drewery, 39, who lives in Duke Street, close to the river where the body was found, said: "To hear that this is a young man is quite shocking really. My condolences go out to his family."
A police spokesman said last night: "Derbyshire police will be liaising with the coroner to arrange a post-mortem in the next few days to try to establish the cause of death."
