Body, possibly of teen, found in Appomattox River

A body believed to be that of a Colonial Heights teen missing since Monday was discovered yesterday in the Appomattox River.

William Shields, 16, a junior at Colonial Heights High School, disappeared while swimming with friends.

Authorities had been searching near the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge that connects Colonial Heights with Petersburg.

Colonial Heights Deputy Fire Marshall J.E. Boisseau said authorities were searching the river yesterday when they got a call that a boater had found a body about 3 p.m.

The body was found downstream in the area of the Interstate 95 overpass, he said.

The remains were taken to the medical examiner's office for positive identification.

Shields' family has scheduled a memorial service for today at 3 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Colonial Heights.

Robert Walker of Colonial Heights said he and his wife, Nancy, discovered the body yesterday about 1:30 p.m. while riding in their 14-foot boat.

The Walkers had talked earlier in the day about looking for Shields. "It bothered me because I am a father," he said. "This is somebody's child."
Contact Lisa Crutchfield at (804) 649-6362 or .