Family Of Missing Airman Found In The Inner Harbor Calls Death 'Accidental'
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- New information in the disappearance of a National Guardsman. His body was recovered from the waters of the Inner Harbor this week. His family tells WJZ his death was an accident.
Derek Valcourt has more on the search to find out what happened to Evan Curbeam.
His family now has the devastating answer as to where he went. Their question now is how exactly did he end up in the water?
National Guardsman Evan Curbeam was supposed to pick up his young daughter Saturday afternoon. He never made it.
"Once we got the call that he did not pick Julia up, we knew that something was wrong," said David Thomas, victim's father.
Curbeam's father and the rest of his family called police and launched an all out search that lasted until Wednesday, when police divers pulled his body from the Inner Harbor.
Through a friend, his now devastated family released a statement, saying: "With heavy hearts, the family confirms his death by accidental cause. Curbeam's parents, David and Tonya Thomas, remain humbled and thankful for the outpouring of compassion."
But police have not yet confirmed Curbeam's death was accidental.
At just 29, Curbeam had accomplished so much in his life, graduating from Rochester Institute of Technology and then George Washington University with a Master's in science engineering. He was last seen late Friday night after leaving his friends at the Fells Point bar Bond Street Social.
As police began their search for Curbeam, they found his car -- a Black Mazda 3 -- exactly where they say he left it, blocks from the restaurant at the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Broadway.
Curbeam spent two years in the D.C. National Guard's 113th Wing as a full-time employee, where he was so highly valued, he was just weeks away from being honored as their 2013 Airman of the Year.
"For the past year, Evan was selected as that kind of individual that not only showed exceptional talent, but also exceptional potential in the organization. This is a tragic loss," said Miranda Summers Lowe, D.C. National Guard.
While investigators try to piece together exactly what happened to the young father, his family can only grieve.
"All I want is to see my son again," Thomas said.
Next week, Curbeam's parents are expected to accept the D.C. National Guard's Airman of the Year award on their son's behalf.
Curbeam graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 2002. Many of Curbeam's former schoolmates took to social media to push for his safe return and now to send their condolences.
Family members are now working with the National Guard to arrange a private funeral service for Curbeam's family and friends.
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