September 26, 2017
The U.S. Coast Guard found a body floating in the Atlantic Ocean about a mile off the Jersey Shore on Monday.
The discovery followed a deadly weekend that included multiple drownings in North Jersey and more than 150 rescues along the state's coast.
The body was found around 8:45 a.m. off the shore in Barnegat Light, according to multiple reports.
The man was identified Tuesday as 30-year-old Christopher Lucin, a Belmar man who was last seen Sept. 19.
An autopsy is pending, and state police are investigating how Lucin wound up in the water, the Inquirer reported.
At least two dozen people have died this year from accidental drownings in the ocean and swimming pools, lakes and rivers along the state's shores.
Three more died this weekend from separate swimming-related incidents in Long Branch, Seaside Park and Point Pleasant Beach as the remnants of Hurricane Jose continued to cause treacherous rip currents along the coast.
This story has been updated to show the correct date the family last saw Lucin.
