KENOVA, W.Va. -- The body of a canoeist missing for more than three weeks has been initially identified as that of a former Ohio resident.

The body of Karl G. Eldred, 36, who had been living in Kenova, was found early Monday morning by barge workers for Marathon Ashland Petroleum who were working on the Ohio River near Virginia Point, just outside Ceredo-Kenova W.Va.

"They were moving barges around and had a big spotlight, and when they moved the barges, his body surfaced," Scott Kearns, communications manager for the Kenova Police Department, said.

The body has been sent to the West Virginia State Medical Examiner's Office in South Charleston for an autopsy and official identification.

Eldred and another man, Chesapeake resident Tom Sibert, were canoeing on Twelve Pole Creek last month when their vessel capsized. Sibert was able to make it to safety.