Body Parts Fished Out Of Union County Waters ID'd

ELIZABETH, NJ — Body parts found floating in Union County waters in May have been identified as a man from Elizabeth, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves and Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca jointly announced Tuesday.

Woldy Ventura-Cruz, 34 has been identified from remains found floating in the area of the Arthur Kill and Elizabeth River on various days during the month of May, said authorities.

A torso was first found floating in the waterfront area where the Arthur Kill and Elizabeth River on May 16 prompting the investigation. Read More: Torso Found Floating In Union County Water, Prompts Investigation

More body parts were later found later in May. Read More: More Body Parts Wash Ashore In Union County

During the joint investigation by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force and the Elizabeth Police Department, the remains were taken to the Union County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Ventura-Cruz’s manner of death was determined to be a homicide and the medical examiner's officer performed testing that positively verified his identity.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about Mr. Ventura-Cruz or this matter is urged to contact Prosecutor’s Office Sergeant Filipe Afonso at 908-603-7116, Prosecutor’s Office Detective Kenneth Luongo at 908-347-1935 or Elizabeth Police Department Detective James Szpond at 908-558-2041.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at www.uctip.org; submission of tips made in this fashion that result in an indictment and conviction can be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000 via the Union County Crime Stoppers.

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