Officials have confirmed that a body recovered from the Hackensack River belongs to a 20-year-old Weehawken man who disappeared from his home in December, bringing closure to a search that lasted more than four months.
Secaucus police discovered the body in the river on April 17, 2026, but investigators did not officially identify it as Emilio Acosta-Gutierrez until Wednesday, April 22, according to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. No information about the circumstances surrounding his death has been released by authorities.
Acosta-Gutierrez vanished around midnight on December 18, 2025, leaving his family’s Weehawken residence without explanation. His father believed the young man was experiencing a mental health emergency at the time of his disappearance.
Cellphone data became crucial in the early investigation, with the last ping from Acosta-Gutierrez’s device traced to the vicinity of American Dream Mall in East Rutherford later on December 18. That location provided investigators with a focal point, though extensive ground searches and aerial drone operations in the surrounding area failed to locate him as winter turned to spring.
Idelfonso Acosta, Emilio’s father, spoke with News 12 in January during an emotional appeal for public assistance in locating his son. The father revealed that his son’s mental health condition made the situation particularly dire.
“Our son has been living with bipolar disorder…he is under proper care, but has, since he left the house, he has not had his medication,” Acosta told News 12 at the time.
The abrupt separation from medication that managed his bipolar disorder added urgency to the family’s fears during the cold winter months. Relatives distributed photos, worked with law enforcement and mobilized community networks in hopes of finding Emilio alive.
As NBC New York reported, the county prosecutor’s office declined to provide any additional information beyond the identification itself. The cause of death has not been disclosed, nor have investigators indicated whether they suspect foul play or believe the death relates to the mental health crisis described by his family.
The Hackensack River flows through communities in Bergen and Hudson counties before emptying into Newark Bay, a tidal waterway where currents can transport objects and remains considerable distances. Investigators have not revealed how or when Acosta-Gutierrez ended up in the water.
Matt Trapani of News 12 reported the identification Wednesday evening, prompting an outpouring of sorrow from community members who had supported the Acosta family throughout the search. Social media users had circulated flyers bearing Emilio’s photo and information for months, hoping for his safe return.
The family now faces the difficult process of grieving their son, whose battle ended tragically in the river after he walked into the December night.