According to Washington County Coroner Shawnda Keltner, Robert Alan Bragman’s death was “likely due to a cardiac event, possibly compounded by hypothermia,” according to an update from the Indiana State Police.
ISP notes that foul play was not suspected.
An autopsy was completed today on Bragman’s body which was found Saturday evening near the Monon South Walking trail adjacent to Jean’s Extrusions by a search team.
Toxicology results remain pending and the investigation continues under the direction of ISP.
Bragman was initially reported missing on Monday, November 17, 2025.
A public search was conducted Saturday morning and included around 100 residents and emergency personnel.
Salem Fire Department Assistant Chief Max Gamble said the Salem Police Department had received a “credible tip” on Friday night that Bragman had been seen Monday morning around 10am walking on South Main Street near the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge.
Gamble told the crowd Saturday that the search would be moving around Salem for the day as a result. He also said that areas around Bragman’s apartment, located near the intersection of West Market and Tarr Avenue, had been previously been cleared.
It was in the area behind IMI Concrete and Jean’s Extrusions that the body was found Saturday evening, which was about a half mile away from Bragman’s apartment.
Several agencies including the Coast Guard helped in the search last week for Bragman and included horses, drones and ATV vehicles.
