Body found in Wantagh identified as Queens fisherman

Investigators have identified one of the two bodies that were found in the waters off Nassau County over the weekend. One body was found washed up near the U.S. Coast Guard station in Wantagh. The other

News 12 Staff

Jul 8, 2008, 12:40 AM

Updated 6,201 days ago

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Investigators have identified one of the two bodies that were found in the waters off Nassau County over the weekend.
One body was found washed up near the U.S. Coast Guard station in Wantagh. The other was found floating near the bridge where the Wantagh Parkway connects with Jones Beach State Park.
The body identified is that of 48-year-old Queens fisherman Matt Jerome Franklin. Franklin and his fishing partner of 21 years were reported missing Friday. There was speculation the bodies were those two men, but the other body has not yet been identified.
Cmdr. Bob McKenna of the U.S. Coast Guard says that shortly after they received the call about the missing individuals, their car was found on the Wantagh Parkway. The canoe the two were to use for fishing was not with the vehicle, but was found floating upside down.
Both bodies were found without lifejackets. Investigators expect to make a positive identification of the other body Tuesday.