A veteran television reporter was found dead Saturday morning in the St. Clair River.

Former WDIV reporter Bob Bennett retired from the station four years ago and moved to Sarnia to spend time fishing and relaxing after his 32 years of reporting.

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Local 4 Remembers Bob Bennett

How Bennett died is not known and an autopsy will be performed, officials said.

Bennett was last seen at a restaurant Thursday, but his brother reported him missing Friday. Local 4 reported that friends found his car Friday night parked near the water and began to search for the 64-year-old former reporter.

At 9:30 a.m. Saturday, a friend discovered his body in the river, Local 4 learned. Sarnia police are investigating the cause of Bennett's death.

Bennett covered Detroit and was known for his integrity. He was credited with being an honorable journalist and, because of his work, was honored by the city of Detroit.

"I had opportunities to leave the city four or five times, but I've always said no for one reason or another," said Bennett, when he announced his retirement.

Bennett joined WDIV in 1968 when it was still WWJ-TV. He served as the station's political reporter, covering the courts, police, City Hall and the environment before being named a general assignment reporter.

Bennett covered such events as the race riots in Detroit in 1967, the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975, and made annual appearances for paczki events in Hamtramck on Fat Tuesday.

When WDIV began its top-rated morning "Newsbeat Today" newscast, Bennett became Detroit's first live street reporter to work the early shift.

Considered a "reporter's reporter" by his peers, Bennett began his Detroit news career in 1963, working as a news announcer and gospel disc jockey for WCHB radio in Inkster. In 1965, he became a news reporter at WXYZ (now WXYT) Radio, where he remained until joining WWJ-TV.

Since beginning his broadcasting career in 1963, Bennett covered just about every area of news imaginable.

In 1980, he received the Detroit Chapter of the National Association of Media Women's award as "Detroit's Man in the Media."

That same year, the Michigan Bar Association recognized him for his News-4 Extra report "Swift Justice," a five-part investigation of the problems within Michigan's judicial and prison system. The Bar Association gave Bennett its Achievement of Justice award.

Bennett was born in Indianapolis in 1939. He received his bachelor's degree in mass communications from Butler University in 1962.

When Bennett announced his retirement, Alan Frank, president of Post Newsweek, said he was "a man of character, a man who brought honor to his profession, and a man who will be deeply missed."

WDIV-TV is owned and operated by Post Newsweek Corp.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. ClickOnDetroit.com and Local 4 will continue to update this developing story.