By: Richard L. Smith
During a routine diving exercise on Monday morning, divers at Branch Brook Park Lake in Newark’s North Ward discovered what are believed to be human remains before 10 a.m.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said the remains were found inside the lake, triggering an immediate investigation.
According to a statement from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the suspicious items were promptly recovered from the lake and have been sent for testing to determine their origin.
Several individuals out fishing told RLS Media that they watched divers pull a bag from the lake that contained other body parts.
The State Regional Medical Examiner’s office will determine whether the remains are indeed human.
RLS Media was on the scene and observed police establish a crime scene under the Park Avenue bridge, closing off a section of the park.
Detectives and divers were seen meticulously scouring the lake and collecting evidence, which was later removed from the water.
County officials have emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing as authorities work to uncover further details surrounding the discovery of the remains.
Further updates are expected as the medical examiner's office completes its analysis and as detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of this find.
