Elderly Man Commits Suicide in Rahway Park

The body of a Rahway man was found around 10:45 a.m. Friday in Rahway Park, according to Union County Police.

Police officers received a phone tip and responded to the park, where they found the body of an as yet unidentified 74-year-old Rahway resident, who was found in a sitting position under a tree near one of the ball fields, the apparent victim of a self-inflicted gun shot wound. A small-caliber handgun was found at the scene near his body, according to a news release from County Police Chief Daniel Vaniska.

When a Patch reporter arrived on the scene around noon, the body had been removed from the site and police were leaving the park. A small stain remained on the tree where the body was found, not far off the road and walking path. 

The victim's gold Toyota Camry was being towed. On the passenger seat was a hardcover copy of the 1996 non-fiction book, "This Noble Land: My Vision For America" by Pulitzer-winning author James A. Michener. In it, according to Booklist, Michener bemoans what's wrong with America and predicts a revolution in 2050.

According to Union County Spokesman Sebastian D'Elia, suicides in Union County parks are not uncommon, adding that police respond to about one a month.

The death is being investigated by Union County Police Investigator Jesus Quijano. An autopsy has been scheduled for Saturday morning at the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office in Newark.