Overview
- Volunteer sonar team Chaos Divers located a gray Nissan Altima in the Delaware River and crews recovered the vehicle and a body Sunday; a photo of the car’s license plate matches the missing woman’s vehicle.
- Family members who had led a public search campaign say they believe the search is over; Kortney Staples was last seen by family on July 11 and was reported missing on July 18.
- Chaos Divers said the recovery was done in coordination with the City of Chester Police Department, local fire dive teams including Station 77, and Rob’s Towing.
- Officials have not yet made a formal identification and the Delaware County Medical Examiner will complete an autopsy and release cause-related findings; Chester police have asked anyone with information to contact them.
- The use of volunteer sonar teams highlights how local responders and trained civilian groups can work together in water recoveries, and the outcome now shifts the case from an open search to forensic and police procedures that will determine next steps.