Man's Body Found Christmas Eve; Death 'Suspicious,' Police Say

LAKEWOOD, NJ -- Authorities have labeled suspicious the death of an Ocean County man who was found face down with head trauma in his home on Christmas eve.

An autopsy was scheduled for Saturday on Miguel Rivera, 45, who was found lying in the hallway of his home, police said.

Lakewood police were called to the Laguna Drive home about 8 p.m. on Thursday to check on Rivera when family members told police they had not heard from him in a few days, police said.

Officers Sean Ward and John Pederson entered the home and found Rivera lying face down in the hallway, Lakewood police said. He appeared to have sustained trauma to his head, police said.

The details surrounding his death are suspicious and an investigation is under way, police said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Lakewood Police Department, Officer Michael Mooney Jr. at 732-363-0200 ext. 5341 or the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Detective Ray Gardner at 732-929-2027.