Hudson Valley Man Dies In Fall At Kaaterskill Falls

HUNTER, NY — A Yonkers man, missing since April 24, was found dead at the base of Kaaterskill Falls.

The New York State Police said the body of Jess Ritholz, 36, of Yonkers was found Friday in the water by the base of the falls.

The preliminary cause of death was listed as head injuries from a fall onto rocks.

Family members of Ritholz reported him missing April 24 when he didn't come home for an expected visit.

His mother and father checked his apartment Tuesday and said everything appeared to be normal.

Police investigators learned that Ritholz rented a black BMW 330 April 22. It was found Friday in the Laurel House Road parking lot for the Kaaterskill Falls in the town of Hunter, Greene County.

A search for Ritholz began in the area by troopers, New York State Police Aviation, Underwater Recovery Team and the Troop K bloodhound.

Ritholz's body was recovered by the state police Underwater Recovery Team and taken to Ellis Hospital by the Greene County Coroner's Office.

State police were assisted in the search by the Greene County sheriff's patrol units and dive team and New York State Forest Rangers.

The investigation is ongoing, police said.

There have been other fatalities at the falls in the past.

Two New Jersey residents were killed in August 2016 in separate incidents at the Kaaterskill Wild Forest.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation undertook a public safety project at the falls that will not only protect hikers from falls and injury but also those rescuing them.

The DEC made a video describing the improvements.