The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner today identified the body found in the Thames River in Ledyard Tuesday as William Missino Jr., a Norwich man who went missing in early December.

Missino, 53, was reported missing by family and friends on Dec. 5.

Following an autopsy on Thursday, the medical examiner’s office ruled Missino’s death an accidental drowning. His body was spotted in the Thames River on Tuesday by a railroad employee in a passing train.

Missino was last seen walking toward his home on Cliff Street but was known to frequent the downtown Norwich area and often could be found along the waterfront, police said. Norwich police joined state police divers last month to search the Thames River.

Norwich police said the case remains open and active and detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of Missino’s disappearance and death.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Norwich Police Department at (860) 886-5561 or Detective Rykowski at (860) 892-2889.