Hudson County has the second highest number of unidentified bodies of any county in New Jersey behind Essex County according to the NJ State Police website, with 47 unidentified bodies since 1981.
The State Police website has provides the list of unidentified bodies found in Hudson County. The list provides potential identifying information for each body such as the date and location where the body was found, the estimated date of death, birth and body description including tattoos, scars and clothing or jewelry. Moreover, the list includes artist renderings and reconstructions of faces.
The most recent listing is that of a male body recovered on July 29, 2008 in Liberty State Park in Jersey City. Police estimate the man died on or about July 26, 2008 and he is estimated to have been born between 1963 and 1978. While the oldest listed on the site was a man who was found in the Hudson River on May 4, 1981. He was believed to have died on or about April 29, 1981 and born between 1941 and 1961.
Some people may wonder why they state still lists unidentified bodies from over 30 years ago because it is unlikely that these bodies will ever been identified. However, when asked a similar question, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Gene Rubino was quoted as saying “the cases never die”. and that every unidentified body case is reviewed and investigators check with local municipalities and with New York City. The end goal is to get them identified and bring some closure to the friends and family and solve the mystery.
