by Al DellaFave, OCPO
On November 2, 2017 at 2:48 pm, the South Toms River Police Department received a 911 call reporting an unknown male had fallen into the Toms River. South Toms River Police immediately responded to 100 Atlantic City Ave, Mathis Park in an effort to locate the man and attempt life-saving measures. Their search, assisted by the New Jersey State Police Marine Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, Toms River PD and several surrounding area fire departments, located the male floating in the water face down. The victim was transported to the shoreline by a NJSP Marine Unit and pronounced deceased at 4:08 pm.
The investigation by South Toms River Detective Tim Meier and OCPO Major Crimes Unit Detective John Carroll learned the decedent is Edward Kosar, 51, who was homeless and recently living in the wooded area near the Toms River. The decedent was reported drinking earlier in the day and observed via surveillance cameras to be stumbling and having trouble walking due to apparent intoxication. A witness called 911 after seeing the victim walking near the water’s edge and falling into the river.