Authorities Seek Public's Help in Identifying Man Found Deceased in Passaic River

Body discovered by fishermen in Montville; investigators release physical description and tattoos in effort to identify individual

The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a deceased man whose body was recovered from the Passaic River near Route 46 in Montville on March 23, 2025.

According to Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Montville Police Chief Andrew Caggiano, law enforcement responded to the area around 4:30 p.m. after two fishermen reported seeing a body in the water. Officers from the Montville Police Department located and recovered the body, with support from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit. The remains were turned over to the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office (MCMEO).

The man had no form of identification on him. The MCMEO described the deceased as approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 166 pounds, and appearing to be either Black or of mixed race. He is estimated to be between 20 and 35 years old. Notably, he has two tattoos: one across the chest that reads “Toolie” and another on the lower left arm that states, “for those I love I will sacrifice.”

While the cause and manner of death are still under investigation, authorities stated that at this time there are no indications of criminal activity. Scans performed on the body revealed no projectiles or foreign objects.

The investigation is being led by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, in coordination with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and Montville Police Department.

Anyone with information that could help identify the individual or provide context for the investigation is urged to contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 973-285-6200 or the Montville Police Department at 973-257-4300.