Original story at Daily Voice posted 11/9/2024
The body of a 19-year-old man from Edgewater was discovered at the base of a cliff near Rockefeller Lookout on the Palisades Interstate Parkway after an extensive search operation. The young man, reported missing by his family on Wednesday, November 6, was found deceased early Thursday morning, November 7.
The search began when the Edgewater Police contacted the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police at around 5 p.m. on Wednesday. A cell phone ping traced the man’s last known location to the scenic Rockefeller Lookout in Englewood Cliffs, according to Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Lt. Raymond E. Walter.
Family members, who reported they last saw the man on Wednesday morning, informed the authorities of his history of depression and prior suicidal statements. Upon arriving at the lookout, police discovered the man’s parked 2021 Subaru. Initial search efforts at the location did not yield results, prompting a coordinated search involving multiple agencies.
The Port Authority Police Emergency Service Unit, the East Bergen Rappel Team, and a drone from the Bergen County Office of Emergency Management were deployed to assist in locating the young man. The search operation concluded at approximately 1 a.m. when his body was found at the cliff’s base.
The Fort Lee Volunteer Fire Department, which participated in the search and recovery, shared images from the scene.
For those struggling with mental health, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides support 24/7 and can be reached by dialing 988.