Woman pulled from White River in Broad Ripple - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Indianapolis Metro Police arrested an Indianapolis man whose girlfriend's body was pulled from the White River in Broad Ripple Tuesday afternoon.

Police say James Peterson, 25, told the McDonald's manager that he and Jessica Adkins, 24, were swimming in the river when she began to struggle. The Indianapolis Fire Department dive team located her and brought her to Methodist Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

According to the police report, Peterson was walking in the McDonald's parking lot when officers arrived on the scene. But officers say he did not seem to have any sense of urgency about helping them find Adkins.

The McDonald's manager told police that Peterson said he had attempted to save her when she started struggling in the water, but that they both began to be pulled down into the water. However, police at the scene noted that Peterson's clothes and hair did not appear to be wet.

Officers at the scene said Peterson smelled strongly of alcohol. They were also concerned that he was under the influence of narcotics because he was displaying severe mood swings.

Once Adkins' body was pulled from the water, officers say Peterson became verbally abusive and uncooperative to police and medical staff on the scene. After assaulting and injuring several officers, Peterson was pepper sprayed and placed in handcuffs.

Police are still investigating the case. Right now Peterson faces charges including resisting law enforcement and battery. But at this point, police don't suspect foul play in Adkins' death.