A man’s body was discovered in the Hudson River near Manhattan’s Upper West Side neighborhood in New York City, early Monday morning, September 30, according to police.
The New York Police Department responded to a 911 call at approximately 2:20 a.m. reporting a body in the water near West 79th Street and Riverside Drive. Officers found the corpse of an unidentified male, believed to be between 35 and 40 years old, floating near the West 79th Street Boat Basin.
Initial observations by law enforcement revealed several disturbing details. The man’s head was covered with a clear plastic bag, while his torso and hands were bound. The body was wrapped in a black garbage bag and appeared to have been weighed down with stones, police said.
Authorities pulled the body from the river and immediately launched an investigation into what they are calling a suspicious death. The city’s medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause and manner of death.
As of Monday afternoon, police had not released any information about the man’s identity. Efforts to identify him are ongoing.
The discovery has raised concerns among local residents and frequent visitors to Riverside Park, a popular recreational area along the Hudson River. The West 79th Street Boat Basin, a public marina operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, is currently closed for renovations.
This incident is not the first time a body has been found in the Hudson River, which borders New York City’s western edge. A 2002 academic study examining deaths in New York City waterways between 1997 and 2000 found that out of 123 cases, 52 were ruled suicides, 50 were undetermined, 16 were accidents, and five were homicides.
The study also noted that alcohol or illicit drugs were involved in a significant percentage of the deaths. However, it’s important to note that this research is over two decades old and may not reflect current trends or circumstances.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. The NYPD has set up a Crime Stoppers hotline and mobile app for members of the public to provide tips anonymously.
Local law enforcement officials emphasize that it’s too early in the investigation to draw any conclusions about the circumstances surrounding the man’s death. They are carefully examining all available evidence and pursuing multiple lines of inquiry.
Police have increased patrols in the vicinity of the boat basin as a precautionary measure and to reassure residents. However, they stress that there is no immediate threat to public safety based on the current information available.
The NYPD is collaborating with other agencies, including the New York State Police and federal authorities, to ensure a thorough and comprehensive investigation. They are also checking missing persons reports from the New York City area and surrounding regions for potential matches to the unidentified man.