Hoboken’s Zimmer, Ferrante: ‘No indications of foul play’ in Genovese death

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Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Police Chief Kenneth Ferrante have released a joint statement proclaiming that Matthew Genovese’s death has “no indications of foul play,” adding that they are reviewing the possibly of adding more cameras to the city’s surveillance system. Zimmer-Ferrante

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“Our deepest sympathies are with the Genovese family as they mourn the loss of their loved one, Matthew, a young Hoboken resident at the prime of his life. The Hoboken Police Department did everything possible to locate Matthew when he was reported missing by his family,” two of the city’s top officials said.

“This unfortunate loss of life on our waterfront has raised concerns within the community and we write to clarify a few important issues.”

The Hoboken Police Department called for the public’s help in trying to find the 24-year-old Genovese on Monday.

On Tuesday afternoon, Hudson County View first reported that Genovese’s body had been recovered by authorities, information that Ferrante confirmed and elaborated on at a press conference later in the day.

Through the statement, Zimmer and Ferrante wanted to quell whispers that Genovese had been thrown off of Pier A into the Hudson River where his body was recovered, stating that there is currently no evidence available to support that theory.

“First, while this particular case remains under investigation, it is important to understand that in this case and in all past cases of entry into the Hudson River from Hoboken over the years, there have been no indications of foul play in any instance.”

“Every case has been determined to be accidental or voluntary entries into the river. In the several unfortunate situations where death arose from the incident, the State Medical Examiner’s Office has determined all of those to be death by accidental drowning and in some cases drowning aided by intoxication.”

The officials added that the Stat Medical Examiner’s Office is the agency that makes the final determination on all deaths, also noting the possibility that Genovese’s toxicology reports could several take months to complete.

 

Finally, Zimmer and Ferrante said that while security cameras, which are operational along the waterfront, are an effective policing tool, they aren’t guaranteed to provide further information in situations such as this one.

“It is also important for the public to understand that the security cameras, which were operational when Matthew went missing, are intended to help the Police investigate what has occurred after the fact.”

“While the cameras can help with an investigation, the cameras unfortunately cannot save lives. The City is conducting a review of the camera system to determine where additional cameras might be appropriate and helpful for future investigations.”

When discussing the Hoboken PD’s counterterrorism efforts along the waterfront at a council meeting in November, it was revealed that cameras along the waterfront were not operational during the 2014 disappearance of Andrew Jarcyk – who was also found in the river.

“Under Chief Ferrante’s leadership, a new Waterfront and Parks Unit was established last year which operates 24/7 along our 1.3 mile waterfront and 20 parks to ensure that our waterfront is as safe as possible.”


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4 COMMENTS

  1. For a town notorious for snuffing out crime reports, if I were his family, I would get independent second and third opinions. Also, trace the number of people who have been thrown in the river in Hoboken who got out alive, as well as those that Hoboken deemed as no foul play. Earliest pr releases were already spinning, “we may never know”. They hope to find alcohol in the coronors report so the City can blame the victim.

    • Melissa Blanco, must you turn everything, even this young man’s tragedy, into fodder for your “I hate the mayor” campaign? Have a little decency, will you?

      Dangling the idea that felonies are being committed at the various levels of government involved is just heartless cruelty to the family and loved ones. Not to mention, once again, defamatory.

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