ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chief Martin McParland of the Rockaway Township Police Department jointly announce the end of the investigation into the search of a missing canoeist in White Meadow Lake, Rockaway Township.
The search began on Sunday, November 22, at approximately 3:00 a.m., when members of the Rockaway Township Police Department were dispatched to White Meadow Lake regarding a capsized canoe, which contained two Rockaway Township residents, ages 26 and 27.
Officer Jason Tozzi from the Rockaway Township Police Department was the first responder to the scene. He used an available canoe and was able to reach the only visible the 26-year old distressed male in the lake, ultimately saving his life.
The rescued male was transported to St. Clare’s Denville Campus Hospital where he was later released.
A recovery operation at the lake was started on Sunday, November 22, for the second adult male. Today’s search continued to utilize sonar equipment monitored by the New Jersey State Police.
The third day of searching ended today, at approximately 9:30 a.m., when the deceased body of the second male was located in the lake. Dr. Ronald V. Suarez, MD of the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office, pronounced the deceased male at the scene. The cause and manner of death are pending.
At the request of the family, the identity of the male found today will not be released.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank all the assisting agencies which include the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Rockaway Township Police Department, the New Jersey State Police the Morris County Sherriff’s Office, Parsippany Rescue and Recovery, Boonton Fire Department, Rockaway Township Fire Department, Jefferson Township Fire Department, St. Clare’s EMS, Morris County OEM, and divers from multiple agencies.
