Autopsy concludes man found in lake did not drown

NORTH BERGEN – An autopsy has confirmed that Cesar Espatal, whose body was found on Monday at James Braddock Park, did not drown, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio.
Defazio said there was no trauma to Espatal’s body indicating foul play.
The cause of Espatal’s death is still pending further investigation, including routine toxicology testing, said DeFazio.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit located the victim’s brother who made a positive identification of the body.
His body was found Monday morning at 6:30 a.m. by pedestrians who spotted his body floating in the lake.
Anyone with further information concerning this death is asked to contact the Hudson County Homicide Unit at (201) 915-1345.

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