BEDFORD – An investigation is underway regarding a body that was found in the Merrimack River near Hawthorne Road.

According to State Police, troopers and Marine Patrol officers responded to the scene at 3:22 p.m. on Sept. 12. The preliminary investigation suggested that the person may have been in the river for an extended period of time. Authorities do not believe the death to be suspicious.

State Police were assisted by members of the Bedford Police and Fire departments.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is scheduled to conduct an autopsy on Sept. 13.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Trooper Jonathan Janosz at 603-451-9772 or email Jonathan.M.Janosz@dos.nh.gov.

In New Hampshire, the Merrimack has claimed the lives of at least four other individuals this year. They include Jeremiah Willey, 25, of Allenstown, Robert Batchelder, 19, of Manchester, Erick Machado, 31, of Nashua, and a 34-year-old man who was not identified.