Community Corner

Body Found in Hudson River May Be WMC Grad

Long Valley native went missing on Dec. 30, 2011.

The body of Long Valley native Stephen Berstler Jr. was found in the Hudson River at 8:20 a.m. Wednesday morning, but authorities are awaiting a definitive ID, according to Port Authority of New York and New Jersey spokesman Al Della Fave.

A jogger heading southbound on the New York side of the George Washington Bridge discovered the body and contacted authorities immediately, Della Fave said. The Port Authority Harbor Patrol recovered the body, and made the formal pronouncement of death at 10 a.m.

No signs indicating abduction or kidnapping were found when the body was discovered, Della Fave said.

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Della Fave said authorities will confirm whether the body is Brestler's once dental records are returned from the medical examiner. Clothes on the body were similar to those described by family members, he said.

Berstler, Jr., 22, . Some of his personal belongings were found on the George Washington Bridge by a bicyclist who alerted authorities. His vehicle was later found parked at the New York City Armory.

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Berstler, a graduate of , was on the

A wake for Berstler will be held at Cochrane Funeral Home in Hackettstown on Sunday, Feb. 12 from 2 to 6 p.m., according to his mother, Sandi Basenese. A memorial service will be held Monday, Feb. 13 at 9:30 a.m. at Grace Church on the Mount in Netcong. Interment will be private, Basenese said.


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