Shaler police identify man found dead in Allegheny River
Shaler police said the man they found dead Thursday morning in the Allegheny River was a missing township resident suffering from dementia.
Mark Massimiani, 60, was found in the river near the 31st Street Bridge by a rowing group, Shaler police Chief J. Sean Frank said.
Massimiani, who was last seen Tuesday night, was pronounced dead at the scene, Frank said. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet determined the cause and manner of death.
Shaler police asked Wednesday for the public’s help finding Massimiani, who they said suffered from dementia and might have been suicidal.
Massimiani left his Shaler residence using a ride-share service around 8:25 p.m. Tuesday, police said. He was dropped off at a craft brewery in Millvale, a short time later. The business was closed.
Police said Wednesday they believed Massimiani was seen walking in Millvale Riverfront Park a few minutes after that, taking the river trail toward Pittsburgh.
Justin Vellucci is a TribLive reporter covering crime and public safety in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. A longtime freelance journalist and former reporter for the Asbury Park (N.J.) Press, he worked as a general assignment reporter at the Trib from 2006 to 2009 and returned in 2022. He can be reached at jvellucci@triblive.com.
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