Prosecutor’s Office Identifies Man Found in Ocean Grove Dunes
Local resident had been missing for 20 days
By Michelle Gladden
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s office had identified the body found in an Ocean Grove dune as 61-year-old Richard Morton.
The cause and manner of the the Ocean Grove resident will be determined following the ongoing autopsy, spokesman Charles Webster said.
Photo Courtesy of Mackin
Morton was reported missing since Aug. 26, Webster said.
On Wednesday evening, Morton’s cousin Patrick Mackin posted the following Facebook post:
It is with great sadness that we tell you that after 20 days missing Richard has been located. He died by the beach and in town he loved. Our family appreciates all the thoughts, prayers, and efforts made trying to locate him. While this wasn’t the outcome we were hoping for it does provide closure to our family especially his aunt Fran [my mom].
Please keep our family in your prayers.
Patrick Mackin [his cousin]
Please keep our family in your prayers.
Patrick Mackin [his cousin]
Morton, who was employed at The Clothing Center in New Brunswick, had been missing for 20 days. His family posted missing persons posters along the Ocean Grove and Asbury Park boardwalks and used Facebook posts in attempts to find the local resident.
The Neptune Township Police Department responded to a report of a body found in the dunes Wednesday morning and is investigating in conjunction with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
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Sep 15, 2016
