Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Irvington Police Chief Michael Chase announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and the Irvington Police are investigating the death of 88-year-old Donald Dreher.
Authorities said at approximately 11:22 a.m. Dreher, a retired firefighter, was found dead in his home in the 700 block of 18th Avenue when Irvington Police officers made a welfare check.
The cause and manner of death are pending autopsy but the death is being investigated as a homicide. Detectives are investigating the possibility that he may have been the victim of a burglary, according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly.
The investigation is active and ongoing.
The Essex County Sheriff’s Crime Stoppers Program is offering up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force at 1-877-847-7432 or 1-877-TIPS-4-EC.