Jon Fehrenbacher Obituary, Death; Evansville man found dead in Ohio River after suspected boating accident identified by coroner.

Jon Fehrenbacher Obituary, Death – Authorities have officially identified the man whose body was recovered from the Ohio River near an Evansville boat ramp earlier this week. The deceased has been named as 66-year-old Jon Fehrenbacher, according to a statement released by the Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office.
Fehrenbacher’s body was discovered on Thursday close to the Dogtown Boat Ramp, located at 5500 Old Henderson Road, within the Ohio River bottoms. The coroner’s office stated that an autopsy has been scheduled, but its results are still pending. At this time, officials do not suspect any foul play in the incident.
The search for Fehrenbacher began Wednesday evening, around 5 p.m., after a concerned caller contacted emergency services to report a drifting, unoccupied boat in the river. The boat was spotted floating along with the current, raising immediate concern that someone may have gone overboard.
Upon inspecting the boat, first responders found personal belongings belonging to Fehrenbacher, including his wallet and cellphone, but there was no sign of him onboard. This discovery prompted a full-scale search effort by emergency crews.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has taken the lead on the investigation into Fehrenbacher’s death, with support from the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. However, as of Friday, investigators have not yet provided details on how Fehrenbacher may have ended up in the water. It remains unclear whether he accidentally fell into the river, suffered a medical emergency, or encountered some other misfortune while out on the water.
Vanderburgh County Sheriff Noah Robinson has directed all inquiries related to the investigation to the Indiana DNR, which continues to handle the case. Authorities are still gathering information to determine what may have caused the incident.
Fehrenbacher’s death has raised concern and sadness in the local community, particularly among those who frequently use the Dogtown Boat Ramp and are familiar with the Ohio River area. The location is known for recreational boating and fishing, and safety on the water remains a priority for local officials.
While there is no immediate evidence pointing to suspicious circumstances, officials are awaiting autopsy results for a clearer picture of the events leading to Fehrenbacher’s death. Investigators continue to work through the timeline from when the boat was first discovered drifting to when Fehrenbacher’s body was recovered the next day.
As the investigation remains ongoing, authorities are urging anyone who may have seen Fehrenbacher or witnessed any unusual activity near the river on Wednesday to come forward with information. Meanwhile, the local community mourns the loss of a fellow resident, hoping for answers that will bring some clarity and closure to this tragic event.