Authorities have recovered the body of a 19-year-old Monmouth County man who last month jumped off the Route 72 bridge to Long Beach Island.
The man was recovered Wednesday evening about 650 feet north of the Dorland J. Henderson Memorial Bridge, which travels over Manahawkin Bay and connects Stafford to Ship Bottom on Long Beach Island, officials said.
A witness told police a person leaped from the bridge on the evening of Nov. 25.
Stafford police officers found an unoccupied gray Toyota Camry at the top of the steel girder bridge.
The State Police’s marine unit and the West Tuckerton Volunteer Fire Company’s dive team were out searching on Wednesday. The search for the man had been ongoing for three weeks and involved several agencies, Stafford police said. His family has been notified.
Editor’s note: NJ Advance Media typically limits reporting on suicides to those that occur in crowded public places, involve public figures or, in special circumstances, where there is a larger public impact. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be reduced with the proper mental health support and treatment. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.