FAIR LAWN, NJ — November 10, 2026 — A body was recovered from the Passaic River in Fair Lawn on Monday afternoon, marking the second such discovery in the river within a week, according to News 12 New Jersey.
Emergency crews responded to an area near First Street and Morlot Avenue on November 9, where a search operation ended with the recovery of a deceased person from the water.
Fair Lawn Police Sgt. Eric Eleshewicz confirmed the discovery to Patch, saying the individual had not been officially identified as of Monday evening.
The circumstances surrounding the death remain unclear, and authorities have released few details about the investigation.
Could the Body Be That of a Missing Fair Lawn Man?
Local news outlet Daily Voice reported that investigators believe the remains may belong to Enver Messano, 43, who disappeared from Fair Lawn on September 28.
According to the report, Messano was last seen leaving his parents’ home near the location where the body was recovered. He reportedly left without his cellphone or other personal belongings.
Sources cited by Daily Voice said the family had been notified, but formal identification was still pending.
Neither Fair Lawn police nor the medical examiner’s office had publicly confirmed that the recovered body belonged to Messano.
There are also conflicting accounts about possible injuries.
Daily Voice reported, citing unnamed sources, that the body appeared to have a gunshot wound to the head. News 12, however, reported Tuesday that authorities had found no signs of foul play.
Officials have not publicly confirmed a gunshot injury or announced a cause or manner of death.
Those questions will require further investigation and findings from the medical examiner.
Second Recovery Raises Questions
The latest discovery follows another body recovery from the Passaic River within the past seven days.
News 12 reported the two incidents but did not establish any connection between them. Authorities have not indicated that the deaths are related.
The Passaic River runs through several communities in northern New Jersey, including parts of Bergen and Passaic counties.
For now, investigators have not released additional information about the circumstances that led to Monday’s discovery.
The immediate questions are whether the recovered person is the man who disappeared in September and what caused the death.
Until authorities confirm those details, reports suggesting a particular cause of death remain unverified.
Sources: News 12 New Jersey, November 10, 2026; Daily Voice, Cecilia Levine, November 9, 2026; Patch, Caren Lissner, November 9, 2026; RLS Media, November 10, 2026.
By NJ RADAR Team