Body pulled from Highland Park reservoir identified as missing man

Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — Mayor Malik Evans confirmed Thursday that the man whose body was pulled from the Highland Park reservoir Tuesday had been reported missing last month and had been in the water for nearly a month.

Evans said the body was identified as Abdullahi Muya, 29, who was reported missing March 9 after last being seen Feb. 18.

BACKGROUND: Rochester police asking public's help to find missing 29-year-old man

Evans said Muya entered a gated area at the reservoir Feb. 24 around 6:30 a.m., slid down the side of the reservoir into the water and died. Police said no one else was present and Muya's death doesn't appear to be criminal in nature.

Rochester Water Bureau workers found Muya's body on the north side of the reservoir during their morning rounds Tuesday. A police scuba team later recovered the body.

The city issued a boil-water advisory Tuesday afternoon, lifting it early Thursday morning.

Evans said the area is patrolled by cameras, with heat and motion sensors, as well as city security and Water Bureau personnel — but Muya's body went undetected for 24 days.

"This reservoir is extremely deep — 15 feet deep — and the body was well below the surface," Evans said. "Reflection waves and shadows at the specific location can obscure the view of the bottom."

Evans said he's not concerned about the quality of the water due to the results of regular testing. He added the reservoir is currently in compliance with all state and federal regulations, despite recommendations that reservoirs be covered.

"Because we don’t cover it, we have to meet extremely strict guidelines in terms of the water quality and the water testing — which has so far shown that even though it has not been covered, the water quality has always been good," Evans said. "I will tell you that this incident does, I believe, bring into stark relief the necessity or conversation about covering that reservoir."

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Evans said the city is working to address gaps in reservoir security that allowed for the breach.

"This obviously calls into question how could he not be detected in the reservoir after being there that long," Evans said. "This is a question that all of us are asking, me in particular. The reservoir is fenced, as you know, it has spikes, but that does not deter someone who may be determined to get in."

You can watch the mayor's full update from Thursday morning below.