Stonington, Connecticut — Police in this small seaside town confirmed a somber end to the search for a missing fisherman Sunday morning when they found 54‑year‑old Thomas Williams deceased in the water near the Stonington Town Dock.
Williams, a lifelong resident of Stonington, was reported missing late Friday night after he was last seen on a commercial fishing vessel moored at the dock. Officials say he was reported missing around 11 p.m. and crews began an urgent search that stretched into the early hours of Sunday.
Early Sunday morning, after hours of searching the chilly waters, emergency responders located his body near the fishing boat where he was last known to be. Police said there’s no indication of foul play or anything suspicious surrounding his death.
The rescue and recovery operation drew in a wide range of local and regional teams. Stonington Police Department led the effort, with help from fire departments in Pawcatuck, Yantic, Old Mystic, and Westerly, as well as the United States Coast Guard and the Connecticut State Police Emergency Services Unit. Members of the Stonington Ambulance Association and environmental authorities also joined the search.
For the family and close friends of Williams, the discovery was devastating. Police said they have notified his next of kin and asked the community to respect their privacy as they grieve. Officials said identifying him swiftly was an important step in letting his loved ones know what had happened.
While the investigation into the circumstances of Williams’s disappearance and death is ongoing, authorities have stressed that residents shouldn’t be alarmed. They say incidents like this are often complex and require time to piece together fully, even when there’s no sign of foul play.
Community leaders and first responders have expressed their condolences to the Williams family, and thanked members of the public who provided tips or assistance. In quieter coastal towns like Stonington, a tragedy like this ripples through neighborhoods, reminding everyone of the risks tied to life on the water and the value of looking out for one another.
