OCEAN CITY – Resort police this week are investigating the circumstances that led to the discovery of a deceased Virginia man floating in a canal near the Ocean City/Fenwick Island line last Friday.
Around 9:45 p.m. last Friday, the OCPD was contacted by Delaware authorities to assist with the recovery of a deceased body, later identified as Ricky Lee Crippen, 38, of Witman, Virginia.
Before rescue teams could respond to remove the body from the water, it floated south into a canal near Laurel Ave. in Ocean City not far from Harpoon Hanna’s restaurant. Patrons reportedly saw the body.
Police officials were tight-lipped this week about whether the deceased body showed any signs of trauma. However, it does appear he was no stranger to the area. According to court records, Crippen was arrested last November for driving on a suspended license and carrying a concealed dangerous weapon after a traffic stop in West Ocean City although the case was later dropped.
Crippen’s body was transported this week to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for a complete autopsy.