Bucks County Coroner, Meredith Buck, announced  the Coroner’s Office has identified the  body that washed up on the bank of the Delaware River in Bristol Township on July 3, 2023, as that of  Sokhon Sam, a 36 year old Asian male from Philadelphia. 

Bristol Township police responded to a call last Tuesday June 27th of a man  attempting to steal a boat from a private residence. When they arrived, the man jumped into the river.  Rescue attempts that evening were unsuccessful

He is the same man that jumped into the Delaware on June 27, she said, confirming what Bristol Township Police believed.

Autopsy findings also confirmed the cause of death as drowning and  manner of death accidental with no signs of trauma.

“Our office  extends its deepest condolences to the Decedent’s family and friends during this difficult time,” Buck said. 

A review of online Bucks County court records show Sam pleaded guilty early this year to a felony theft case out of Bensalem Township.  and was sentenced to a minimum of nine months to 23 months. He was given time served credit which explains his release soon after sentencing in January

The announcement puts an end to the debate among locals and closes a chapter on an investigation that Buck felt her office’s boundaries were tread upon this week by the Bristol Township Police.