Man Pulled From Passaic River Near Belleville; Cops Seek ID

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Authorities are asking for the public’s help identifying a deceased man who was pulled from the Passaic River last month.

Belleville police officers discovered an unresponsive man in the river at 7:34 a.m. on Aug. 20. Emergency responders from North Arlington pulled the man onto the embankment.

He was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:15 a.m., according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

“Since then, attempts to positively identify the man or locate next of kin have been unsuccessful,” prosecutors said Wednesday.

According to authorities, the man appears to be a Hispanic male in his early 30s. At the time of death, he was wearing a blue shirt, black slacks and brown boots (see photo above).

A preliminary investigation indicates the man’s name may be Reyno Vasquez Ramirez, and that he is originally from Guatemala. However, efforts to confirm that information have been unsuccessful, prosecutors said.

Anyone with information regarding the possible identity of the decedent can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

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