Unidentified Body Washes Up In Point Pleasant Beach: State Police

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ — Authorities were working to identify a person whose body washed up in Point Pleasant Beach on Saturday, more than a week after a boater went missing near Manasquan Inlet, New Jersey State Police confirmed.

New Jersey State Police were notified at 3:05 p.m. Saturday about the body, which washed up on Channel Drive, NJ State Police Detective Jeffrey Lebron said.

"As of now, the person's identity is still pending confirmation," Lebron said.

Authorities have been searching for Derek Narby, 21, of Brick Township, since his family's boat was swamped by a large wave just outside Manasquan Inlet on Sept. 14.

Crews have searched from north of Manasquan Inlet to as far south as Seaside Heights, where pieces of the 31-foot Aquasport washed up on Sept. 16. The stern of the boat was found in about 30 feet of water just north of Manasquan Inlet, state police have said. Read more: Boat Broke Apart At Manasquan Inlet, Pieces Found In Seaside: NJSP

Searchers had been sidelined Saturday because of the effects of Tropical Storm Ophelia, which caused 10-foot waves and packed heavy rain and winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph.

A memorial to Narby, a 2020 graduate of Brick Memorial High School who played baseball, had been set up just off the eastern corner of the parking lot on the Point Pleasant Beach side of the inlet. Prayer candles and flowers were left, along with messages for the family as they prayed for Narby's return. Read more: 'Guide Derek Home': Search For Missing Boater Reaches 7th Day