ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Police say on around 1 on Tuesday afternoon, two teenage boys were fishing in Corby Pond when one of their hooks got snagged on some clothing. Within moments investigators say the boys got a little closer and discovered a body in the water.
Police have identified the man as 62-year-old Eddie Wise. On Thursday his death was ruled a suicide.
Emily Hendricks says he lived across the street from her on Sacramento Street in St. Joseph.
“I just can’t imagine that. I just feel sad for the man’s family, ” said Hendricks.
“He was always outside working on his little, green house. He seemed to be a nice, quiet gentleman who really just kept to himself. My gosh it’s just shocking to hear he just passed away like that.”
Crime scene technicians removed items from Wise’s home a second straight day.
“Man, that’s scary. I have seven children. Where he lived and where that pond is, just say about two miles, that’s really suspicious, ” said Garrett Johnson, who lives two doors down from Eddie Wise.
“I really didn’t know the guy. I just spoke to him. I moved away from one neighborhood to here thinking it would be safe, but I just don’t know. It is a big shock, ” added Johnson.
By early Wednesday evening, several people, who appear to be family members of Wise showed up to the house visibly saddened.