February 09, 2016
Contributed Art/Lower Pottsgrove Police Department
Harold Leister, 93, was found dead inside his vehicle in the Schuylkill River in Pottstown on Feb. 9.
Police in Lower Pottsgrove Township have identified a 93-year-old man who was found dead Tuesday afternoon inside his vehicle that became submerged in the Schuylkill River.
Authorities in North Coventry received a report from a concerned citizen about a car in the Schuylkill River in Pottstown at the boat ramp along South Penn Street.
When emergency responders arrived at the scene, they pulled a Buick Lucerne from the water with a body still inside the vehicle.
On Tuesday evening, the Lower Pottsgrove Police Department confirmed in a statement that the victim was Pottstown resident Harold Leister.
It was not immediately clear whether the car belonged to Leister and how it ended up in the Schuylkill River. Before Tuesday's discovery, Leister was last seen at his home on Feb. 4.
Police and the Leister family thanked the public for their help:
Lower Pottsgrove Police and the family of Mr. Leister are extremely grateful for the outpouring of concern and tips that were provided by the public. We appreciate the cooperation of the media during our investigation in assisting with getting the story out to the public. ... May Harry Leister Rest in Peace, it is apparent he touched many lives in a positive way!
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding Leister's death is ongoing.
