17-year-old Medard Kowalski’s body was found Monday in the water at the York Haven Hydro Plant. Kowalski had been reported missing on December 1. Kowalski’s official cause of death was freshwater drowning and it was ruled an accident, according to the Lancaster County coroner. Kowalski’s family had been very active in the search as was the new Cumberland River Rescue Team. It was the largest search in that organization’s history.
Kowalski had been canoeing to Hoak Island to go deer hunting when he disappeared. During the search local authorities were joined by private boaters trying to retrace where Kowalski had last been seen. Rescue workers had to postpone their search when the river began to freeze over. "It does bring closure. He was everywhere. I saw it on Facebook. My sister went to Ceder Cliff and she had some friends that knew him and even hearing about it at work, it was just really tragic. For the community it does bring closure, for sure," said Julie Norford who lives in New Cumberland. On Monday night Kowalski's family held a prayer vigil. His father thanked everyone for their help in the search.
