Authorities Identify Woman Found Dead in South Mountain Reservation

Investigators at the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office have released the identity of the woman found dead in the Millburn section of the South Mountain Reservation on Tuesday.

According to the ECPO, a hiker discovered the body of Deja Rodriguez, a 24-year-old Newark resident, in a secluded wooden area of the reservation while walking his dog around 5:30 p.m.

The hiker told ABC7 that the body was in “poor condition” and had been dumped in a root hole left by a fallen tree.

A medical examiner has determined that the death does not appear to be a homicide, stated authorities.

An investigation is ongoing.

The South Mountain Reservation is a nature reserve that covers over 2,000 acres in Millburn, Maplewood and West Orange. The Richard J. Codey Arena and Turtle Back Zoo are located within the reservation’s boundaries.

Photo caption: The path leading to the dog park at the South Mountain Reservation is quiet on Thursday, two days after a body was found at the Essex County park.