Missing Man Found Dead in Storm Drain, Police Say

The body of a missing 57-year-old New Milford man was found late Wednesday evening inside a storm drain that runs beneath the street where he had lived, police said. 

The man, whose name is being withheld until his family is notified, was reported missing by family members early Wednesday evening, Chief Frank Papapietro said.

His family said that he was last seen at approximately 7 p.m. Tuesday when he left his house to go for a walk, Papapietro said. 

According to Papapietro, the Bergen County K-9 Unit conducted a search of a wooded area near the victim’s home where he was known to walk. During the search Lt. Kevin Kiene spotted a liquor bottle, cash and two bags of apples in a stream which ran into a large drainage pipe under the street.

"Officer Bryan Mone entered the stream and observed the body inside the drainage pipe," Papapietro said. 

The man's body was removed from the drain by Lt. Detective Frank Ramaci and members of the New Milford Fire Department. According to Papapietro, the Bergen County Medical Examiner's office was on the scene to take the body. 

"The cause of death is not considered suspicious at this time," Papapietro said.

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