Homeless Man Identifed As Toms River Drowning Victim

SOUTH TOMS RIVER, NJ — A man who had been homeless and living in the woods near the Toms River has been identified as the person whose body was pulled from the water Thursday at Mathis Plaza.

Edward Kosar, 51, had been living in the area recently, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the prosecutor's office.

South Toms River police received a 911 call at 2:48 p.m. reporting a man had fallen into the Toms River at the park on Route 166, he said.

South Toms River Police immediately responded to try to find the man and attempt life-saving measures, Della Fave said. The New Jersey State Police Marine Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, the Toms River Police Department and several surrounding area fire departments joined in the search efforts.

Kosar was found floating face-down with the assistance of a drone from the Ocean County Sheriff's Department, then brought to the shore by the State Police Marine Unit, where he was pronounced dead at 4:08 p.m., Della Fave said.

South Toms River Detective Tim Meier and Detective John Carroll from the prosecutor's office Major Crimes Unit learned Kosar's identity and that he had been living in the woods near the river, Della Fave said.

They also learned Kosar had been seen drinking alcohol earlier in the day and was seen on surveillance cameras in the area to be stumbling and having trouble walking due to apparent intoxication, Della Fave said.

A witness called 911 after seeing Kosar walking near the water’s edge and falling into the river, he said.

Mathis Plaza photo via Google Maps