Closure: Body of John Moebs recovered from Lake Michigan

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- An update on the John Moebs Missing Facebook page indicates police have confirmed the body pulled from Lake Michigan on Tuesday morning, May 20th is John Moebs, who was reported missing more than two weeks ago.

According to authorities, a person walking along the lakefront saw the body floating near the shoreline early Tuesday and called officials. Upon arrival, authorities recovered a man's body from the lake.

John Moebs

"I wish we had found him alive, but at least now we know and now we can start finding out exactly what happened to lead him there," Moebs' brother, Scott Moebs said.

"We now have one more piece of the puzzle -- a small bit of closure. We still have a lot of unanswered questions but we want to leave that to the police who have been very helpful," Moebs' sister, Rebecca Moebs said.

33-year-old Moebs was last heard from around 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning, May 3rd when he sent a text message to his girlfriend saying he was on his way home and that he thought his nose might be broken.

“That was his last text message. Now whether he received that in a fight or if he fell down and hurt himself, we’re not completely clear on that,” said Capt. Richard Durica of the West Milwaukee Police Department.

John and his girlfriend started the night together before taking a cab down to Water St. around 12:30 a.m.

“The taxi driver said that he was quite intoxicated. He was too drunk to pull out his own money and his girlfriend had to do it for him,” said Scott Moebs, John's brother.

Somehow, the two got separated and they agreed to meet back up at home.

John had texted her saying he was nearly there at about 3:30 a.m. -- and that was the last anyone heard from him.

Now, the Milwaukee Police Department says it is working with the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office to determine the cause of death.

After weeks of clinging to hope, his family now has to face the reality of a life without him.

"I`m not exactly sure -- how are we going to get through this?" Rebecca Moebs said.

"Just keep carrying on. That`s what my brother would want," Scott Moebs said.

When they're ready, they plan to say goodbye with a celebration.

"He goes into the next life -- not the way he went out of this one," Rebecca Moebs said.

"Give him the send off that he deserves," Scott Moebs said.

If you have any information that could help authorities in this case, you’re urged to call West Milwaukee police at 414-645-2151.