Tribal police probing deaths believe incidents not connected

HOGANSBURG — The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police are investigating two deaths, but haven't yet classified them.

"We're still investigating them," Sgt. Matthew Rourke said Tuesday. "The autopsies are not complete yet."

Police were notified on Saturday that the Canadian Coast Guard recovered the body of missing Hogansburg resident Michael J. David, 32, who was last seen alive July 13. His mother reported him missing the next day.

A passing ship on the St. Lawrence River spotted the body near Saint Zotique, Quebec, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said. RCMP officials haven't released a cause of death.

Authorities had been searching the Hopkins Point area of the St. Lawrence River near Fort Covington.

In a separate investigation, tribal police learned that Hattie Bero, 24, was taken to Massena Memorial Hospital early Saturday with severe head injuries. She was later moved to Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vt., where she died the next morning.

Tribal spokesman David T. Staddon said Tuesday that police believe there's no connection between the two deaths. Franklin County District Attorney Derek P. Champagne declined to comment on the cases.

Anyone with information regarding the cases can contact the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police at 1 (518) 358-9200.