Police confirm body found in Fox River is that of Michael Philbin

The Oshkosh Police Department confirmed at a press conference at 10:30 a.m. today that the body found in the Fox River yesterday at 3 p.m. is that of Ripon resident, Michael Philbin.

            Philbin was the 21-year-old son of Green Bay Packer's offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.

"The cause of death is yet to be determined, although no foul play is suspected in Michael's death," Oshkosh Police Chief Scott Greuel said.

            As of now, police are unwilling to confirm why they believe foul play is not suspected. However, the AxleTech security guard, who called 911 after hearing cries for help coming from the river at 2:36 a.m. on Sunday, claims to have seen only one person fall through the ice and into the water, according to Greuel.

The Winnebago County Coroner will be in attendance of an autopsy being done in Madison today in order to determine the cause of death.

            "Toxicology and autopsy results will not be available for at least four weeks," the Oshkosh Police Department's media release stated. "Each case is based on its own merits, but this is normal protocol."

            With the results of the autopsy, police will be able to confirm if alcohol was present in Philbin at the time of the accident as well as anything else that may have led to his death.

            "We delayed public confirmation of this identification because there was no threat to public safety, but primarily out of respect for the privacy of, and according to the wishes of the Philbin family," Oshkosh Police Department's media release stated.

            Police believe that Philbin's friends notified the family about the same time as police contacted the family, according to Greuel.

            The investigation is being considered ongoing by the police department. They are still trying to figure out a "timeline of events leading up to his disappearance," according to the Oshkosh Police Department's media release. Police report that the friends who were with him last, before Philbin got separated from them, are continuing to be cooperative with police.

            "We are continuing to gather information from the people that were with him last and again we are asking for anybody who has information or was with him that night [to talk to us]," Greuel said.