The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department has identified the body of a man pulled from the Platte River Saturday evening as 28-year-old Richard James Berry.

Authorities responded around 11:45 p.m. Saturday to the area of the Third Fork River on Easton/Saxton Road in reference to a body found in the river.

There, deputies found Berry deceased.

Buchanan County Sheriff Mike Strong said there was trauma to the body but he would not say if Berry was dead at the scene or died later after he was pulled from the river.

Authorities said a large blood stain was visible on the bridge.

The Department said evidence found at the scene indicates that Berry was murdered.

An autopsy is scheduled for later today.

Anyone with information about the incident or Berry’s recent whereabouts it asked to contact the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Dept. or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 238-TIPS (8477).