Enfield Man Found Dead At State Park In Simsbury: DEEP: UPDATE

SIMSBURY, CT — A 53-year-old Enfield man was found dead at a prominent state park in Simsbury on Saturday, with state officials still investigating the cause and manner of his death.

According to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Commission early Monday afternoon, the man has been identified as Nicholas Lara, 53, of Enfield.

DEEP Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police responded to a report of a missing person out of Enfield believed to be in the area of Talcott Mountain State Park at 6:30 p.m. Friday, said DEEP spokesman Will Healey Monday.

He said EnCon, along with Enfield, Avon, and Simsbury police and firefighters searched until 11:30 p.m. when the search was suspended for the evening Friday night.

Healey said the search resumed Saturday morning, and an adult male was found deceased inside the park.

The State Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death and DEEP EnCon Police are investigating, Healey said.

On Saturday at 11 a.m., the Simsbury PD said there was a "rescue effort" underway at the park.

At the time, the Simsbury PD urged folks to avoid the park until further notice.

With few details, the Simsbury PD said at 3 p.m. Saturday that the operation ended "and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Conservation Police are continuing an investigation."

The well-used park is home to The Heublein Tower, which "awaits hikers at the top of the mountain, bringing together natural beauty, an architectural landmark, and 360-degree views," wrote DEEP via its CTPARKS website.

"The 1,000-foot-high promontory provides unparalleled vistas of the Connecticut landscape. On the horizon, Mount Monadnock, 80 miles away in New Hampshire, is discernible. To the northwest, the Berkshires dominate the horizon. Long Island Sound is revealed as a thin blue streak to the south."

For more information on Talcott Mountain State Park in Simsbury, click on this link.