Samusenko Family Contacted by Local Authorities

 MARCH 18, 2013- An Erie family awaits word tonight on whether a body pulled from Presque Isle Bay is that of a missing teenager...

   The cousin to missing Erie teenager Jacob Samusenko, confirmed to us that the family has been contacted by authorities, but the body still needs to be identified.

She says there is still a lot of uncertainty, and the family gathered in prayer tonight.           

Monday afternoon the call went out to local authorities just after 2:30 that a body was found floating in water near the Maritime Museum.

"Call from a woman who observed what she thought was a body in the east lip. We responded and found body floating in the bay," says Erie Police Chief Steve Franklin.     

The body was described as heavily decomposed by officials on the scene who gathered the remains.

"We had a report of a lady saying something in the water. Wasn't sure if it was a body or some object dispatched dive tea, and crews down there. Did in fact get two divers in water and did locate a body in the water," says Mike Fahey Erie Fire Deputy Chief.

Fire department rescue divers pulled the body from the water in what Deputy Chief Mike Fahey says was a quick recovery.

"It was actually a quick recovery.  Two divers in the water right away able to get a floating device around him. We were able to bring him over to docks and lift the body out of the water," says Fahey.

Even though the body has not been identified, Coroner Lyell Cook says it is a white male.

The family of missing 17-year-old Jacob Samusenko confirmed to us that local authorities have contacted them directly.

Samusenko disappeared as he was taking out trash in front of his parent's home on Erie's East side nearly two months ago.

 Search parties have been held, but nothing has turned up.  The family even united in prayer Sunday evening for a special vigil, calling on god for answers.            

Now, his family is gathering in prayer once again and waiting on word if a body discovered Monday afternoon is that of Jacob.

An autopsy and dental exam is scheduled for 10 tomorrow morning.