Report: Retired UNC prof's body recovered from Hudson River

A swimmer from North Carolina died after going missing Friday in the Hudson River during a marathon swim, the race organizers said.

Posted 9:31 p.m. Jun 18, 2019 — Updated 10:02 p.m. Jun 18, 2019

NEW YORK — The body of a former University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill professor who disappeared last Friday in the Hudson River during a marathon swim has been recovered, the New York Post reported Tuesday.

Dr. Charles van der Horst had been participating in the 8 Bridges Hudson River Swim.

Van Der Horst’s body, still wearing a swimming cap and swimming trunks, was discovered around 9:50 a.m. along the Hudson River shoreline near Dyckman Street, police told the New York Post.

"The family of Charles Van Der Horst of Chapel Hill, NC is deeply saddened to confirm the loss of our beloved Charlie," New York Open Water posted on Facebook. "Charlie exemplified living life to its fullest. He put all of his passion and zest into everything he did, from his love of his family, friends and community, to his swimming to his work on social justice and in the medical field."

A safety spotter saw van der Horst, 67, submerge near the George Washington Bridge around 3 p.m. on Friday, police said.

"Dr. Charles van der Horst was a passionate and dedicated researcher, clinician and colleague during his many years at UNC," School of Medicine officials said in a statement Saturday. "He was an incredible force for good, and led by his example of dedication to science and service. Our UNC School of Medicine team is saddened by the news. Our thoughts are with his family."

The 120-mile 8 Bridges swim takes place in segments over the course of a week, according to New York Open Water’s website.

Friday’s leg was 15.7 miles, starting at the Tappan Zee Bridge and ending at the George Washington Bridge, according to the website.

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