Man found in Juniata River identified

Cause, manner of death remain pending after autopsy

LEWISTOWN -- The Mifflin County Coroner's Office has identified the man whose body was found in the Juniata River last week as 51-year-old Jacob L. Auker of Granville.

Auker's body was found near Rock Base Lane in Lewistown at about 9 a.m. Aug. 27, according to a Tuesday release from Mifflin County Coroner Andrea L. Alcalde.

An autopsy was performed Saturday at Mount Nittany Medical Center. The cause and manner of Auker's death remain pending, the coroner's office said.

A fisherman discovered Auker's body and reported it at 9:01 a.m., according to Granville Township Police Chief Chad Brehman.

Brehman said at the time that the body was found just east of Tate's Campground on the Granville Township side of the river.

When emergency crews were dispatched, authorities already knew the call involved a deceased person rather than a water rescue.

"They knew it was a deceased body at that point," Brehman said.

Auker initially remained unidentified, although Brehman said investigators believed the man was a Mifflin County resident because of items recovered at the scene.

"We do believe he is a local resident of Mifflin County due to some of the items recovered at the scene," Brehman said.

Later that day, the coroner's office asked the public for help, releasing descriptions of his clothing, jewelry, and tattoos.

The coroner's office credited the public with helping identify Auker.

"The Mifflin County Coroner's Office would like to thank the public for the numerous shares and for assisting us in identifying Mr. Auker," the office said in its release.

The office also thanked the first responders who assisted with the recovery and response.

Authorities haven't released information about how Auker entered the river or how long he may have been in the water.

Brehman said last week that investigators expected more information after the autopsy.

The body was recovered near the former Red's Diner, which closed in June 2025 after operating at 878 U.S. Highway 22 since 1954.

The cause and manner of Auker's death remain under investigation. The coroner's office said additional information will be released as it becomes available.