WASHINGTON — Two bodies have been located after a search in the Potomac River Thursday and authorities say it could be two missing boaters from Stafford, Virginia.
The Coast Guard began searching the Potomac River around 11 p.m. Wednesday after The Landmark Yacht Club reported that Charles Zintner, 58, and Melissa Smarr, 55, had not returned.
A Maryland State Police helicopter found the 19-foot boat, but Zintner and Smarr were not in it.
The boat was anchored in the Potomac River, about a mile away from the Virginia shoreline, north of Aquia Creek. Officials say the river is about 2.5 miles wide in that area.
A Coast Guard spokesperson says the engine key on the boat was on and a radio was playing when teams got there. There was also food and drinks on board, and a plate had been overturned.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police reported that one body — a male — was located by a good Samaritan about 1,000 feet south of the boat Thursday afternoon.
Another bystander found a female body north of the boat’s location a few hours later.
Officials don’t know whether the remains are those of the missing boaters.
Foul play is not suspected, officials say.
WTOP’s Dennis Foley contributed to this report from Charles County, Maryland.
Editor’s note: The spelling of Charles Zintner’s name has been changed after authorities released the correct spelling.