Severn River yields body of apparent bridge jumper

Maryland Natural Resources Police pulled the body of an Annapolis man from the Severn River Monday morning, exactly one week after the man apparently leaped from the Bay Bridge, authorities said yesterday.

The body of William Henry Johnson, 62, of the 1400 block of Damsel Lane, Annapolis, was found shortly after 11 a.m. near the mouth of the Severn, said Lori Vidil, the spokeswoman for the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, which was the lead agency investigating Mr. Johnson's disappearance. A wallet found on the body identified it as that of Mr. Johnson, Ms. Vidil said.

A merchant ship first spotted the body and alerted the Coast Guard, which in turn alerted Natural Resources Police, who found the body about a mile from the shore of Tolly Point, said Darryl Claggett, a spokesman for the Natural Resources Police.

Shortly before 1 a.m. Oct. 25, a Transportation Authority officer found Mr. Johnson's empty car in the middle of the Bay Bridge with the motor running.