Body found behind Marshalls in Passaic River

KEARNY – On Monday, Oct. 13, a body was spotted floating in the Passaic River in the area of the Clay Street Bridge off of Central Avenue by a passenger on a passing train in Newark.
Kearny Police were called in at 6:20 p.m.
Patrolman Brian Wisely responded on a report that the Newark Fire Department boat was on the Passaic River behind Marshalls store on Passaic Avenue. Det. Sgt. John View, Det. John Kelly and Det. Ray Lopez met with Sgt. Sayer of the Newark Emergency Medical Services unit and the Newark Fire Department Captain, who told the detectives that the call had come into Newark shortly before their arrival, according to police reports.
A helicopter out of the Newark was put out on the river to follow the body as it floated down in the river’s current to Kearny. Newark EMS responded to push the body to shore in the area behind Marshalls. Kearny Deputy Chief Stew Doucherty and his crew assisted in pulling the body to shore so the person could be recovered. The body seemed to be a Caucasian or Hispanic man.
Trooper Michael Hart from the New Jersey State Police Newark Barracks was at the scene and advised that the state police would take over the investigation.
Det. Thomas McEnroe of the State Police Major Crimes Division with the assistance of Kearny Det. Lopez photographed the body in its original condition after it was pulled to shore.
The Newark Medical Examiner responded to the scene and took possession of the body to do an autopsy in order to determine the cause of death, according to Chief John Dowie.
Currently, it is not known if the cause of death was a homicide, suicide or an accidental drowning.
Officials at the Medical Examiners office said that any additional information would be sent on to the prosecutor’s office.
As information is released, we will post it.