The body of William Ryan, a 79-year-old resident from the Landing section of Roxbury, New Jersey, was discovered Monday morning, June 24, 2024, near the southern tip of Lake Hopatcong after an extensive search effort by multiple agencies.
Ryan had entered the lake alone around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and was reported missing when he did not return. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the recovery of Ryan’s body and stated that the death was not considered suspicious.
Roxbury Fire Department Chief Chris Skomial stated he was the first responder on the scene and immediately met with Ryan’s wife. “We deployed our boat from Company 2,” he explained. “Company 1 also brought their smaller boat to assist … We promptly requested support from the county dive teams, who arrived shortly after that.”
The Roxbury Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, the New Jersey State Police Marine unit, the North Jersey Regional Scuba Task Force, the Parsippany Rescue & Recovery Unit, and the Roxbury Fire Department assisted in the search.
The intensive operation involved State Police divers, a helicopter, and a submersible vessel from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.
Poor visibility and challenging water conditions temporarily suspended the search until Sunday morning, according to a spokesperson from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
Despite the State Police deploying divers, sonar equipment, and a helicopter, efforts were again halted on Sunday night.
By Monday morning, the coordinated efforts paid off, and Ryan’s body was found near the southern tip of Lake Hopatcong. His death has deeply affected the local community. Neighbors and friends in the Landing section of Roxbury expressed their condolences and remembered Ryan fondly.
Local real estate agent Jim Leffler, who knew the family well, revealed that Ryan and his wife, Pam, lived in a lakefront house that had been in Pam’s family for nearly 80 years. Leffler said they transformed the old summer home into a permanent residence about six years ago. “They were a wonderful couple, together for many years, and very close,” he said.
Officials continue investigating the incident’s circumstances to provide closure to the family and community.