Fire Captain Found Dead In Firehouse In Essex County; Authorities Release ID

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Authorities have released the identity of a fire captain who was found dead at a firehouse in Newark last weekend.

Carlos A. Rivera, 49, of Sayreville, was found deceased at 269-271 Park Avenue on Saturday morning, according to a joint statement from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Department of Public Safety.

Authorities previously said Rivera was found “unresponsive” along with a second person – a retired firefighter – who was also discovered unconscious.

Both were transported to University Hospital. The captain was pronounced dead at the hospital, authorities said.

“The preliminary investigation shows no signs of violence,” prosecutors said.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department, is investigating the incident, authorities said Monday.

“The cause and manner of death will be determined by an autopsy that will be performed by the regional medical examiner,” prosecutors said. “Additional information will be released as it becomes available.”

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