The remains found in the Hudson River off of Pier C in Hoboken last month were identified as the body of a man fatally shot in the Mile Square City in February, authorities said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
On Sunday, March 23rd, at approximately 2:15 p.m., the Hoboken Police Department and Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit were notified that a human body was found in the Hudson River near Pier C Park, recalled Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.
Responding officers located remains of an adult man, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office later conducted multiple forensic examinations in an effort to identify the man.
Earlier today, the Hudson County DNA Laboratory issued a report to the Regional Medical Examiner, which included a DNA match for the victim.
Following that, the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office positively confirmed the identity of the man as Julio Flores, 23, of Passaic. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head and the manner to be homicide.
On Sunday, February 2nd, the Lodi Police Department contacted the Hoboken PD and the HCPO Homicide Unit after receiving multiple tips that a man had been fatally shot one day earlier in a restricted area of the Hoboken waterfront near Castle Point Skate Park.
After an extensive four-day investigation utilizing numerous investigative resources, the homicide unit determined Erick Fernandez, 26, of Lodi, fatally shot Julio Flores, 23, of Passaic, at the aformentioned location.
Following the shooting, Fernandez fled with the victim’s personal belongings, including his vehicle, and later returned to the scene to dispose of Flores’ body in the Hudson River.
A warrant for Fernandez’ arrest was issued on Thursday, February 6th. At the time the warrant was signed, Fernandez was in custody at the Garfield Police Department on an unrelated matter.
Fernandez is charged with murder, felony murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, disturbing/desecrating human remains, hindering, certain persons not to possess a weapon, and robbery.
He remains in custody at the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
Additionally, Suarez credited the HCPO Homicide Unit, with assistance from the Hoboken PD, the Lodi Police Department, as well as the Hawthorne, Garfield, Stevens Institute of Technology, and New York City Police Departments, New Jersey State Police, the Hudson County DNA Laboratory, and the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office with the investigation.
