Waterbury Resident ID'd As Man Found In Naugatuck River: Police

NAUGATUCK, CT — A 30-year-old Waterbury man has been identified by Naugatuck police as the man whose body was found in the Naugatuck River on Tuesday.

George Fiallos was found on a small island in the center of the river at about 3:40 p.m. A hiker saw him in the river near Platts Mill Road and Radnor Avenue and notified Naugatuck police.

According to Deputy Police Chief C. Colin McAllister, the area around the discovery was investigated by detectives, and no signs of foul play were found.

Additionally, the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy of Fiallos, but the cause of death is "pending further studies."

"It remains unclear how long Mr. Fiallos was in the river," McAllister said Thursday during a news conference at the Naugatuck Police Station. He added that Fiallos was last seen by members of his family on July 16. "Part of the investigation is looking into how he ended up in the river."

Fiallos was not reported as missing, McAllister said, largely because he was known to periodically spend time away from his family for days at a time.

Due to some decomposition, identifying Fiallos was not easy for Naugatuck detectives, who are continuing to investigate the discovery as a criminal matter. This despite that so far, there are no indications that Fiallos died from a criminal act.

"We wish to reassure the community that there are no indications that there is any threat to the public," McAllister said.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up in memory of George Fiallos, and as of Thursday afternoon it had raised more than $1,000 toward a goal of $10,000 to assist his family with expenses of burying him in Puerto Rico next to his late mother.

"George was a Godly man who always wanted to share light to others with his beautiful words," wrote the effort's organizers Tatiana Gonzalez and Lizmarie Robles. "He was truly one of a kind. He adored his kids and being a father, spending time with them was one of the things that made him happiest. His children loved him dearly, and losing him has been devastating for them."

The Naugatuck Police Department is urging anyone with information about Fiallos, or who may have had contact with him, or knows of his movements in his final days, to contact the department at 203-729-5221. Anonymous tips also can be left at 203-720-1010.

"Lastly, the Naugatuck Police would like to extend our sympathy to the Fiallos Family," McAllister said.

Note: GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.