An unidentified man was found deceased inside Van Cortlandt Park on Sunday, with one police officer at the scene describing the death as “suspicious,” while a police spokesman later said the body showed no obvious signs of trauma.

 

An NYPD spokesman said the unidentified man was found unresponsive between a baseball field and foot path inside the Allen Shandler Recreation Area of Van Cortlandt Park at 2:06 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22.

The spokesman said, “Police responded to a 911 call for an aided male in the vicinity of (East) 233 Street and Jerome (Avenue) in the confines of the 50^th Precinct.

 

He added, “Upon arrival, officers observed a male unidentified, unconscious and unresponsive in public view. EMS pronounced the male deceased at the scene. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death.”

 

The police official was asked if the man had any obvious signs of trauma. He replied, “It doesn’t appear that way.”

A man located at some nearby bleachers who was stretching his legs was asked if he had heard about a man who died. He replied, “No, this is the first time I’m hearing sirens and these guys standing around here.”

 

Several police officers, at least one detective, and a pair of workers from the medical examiner’s office were observed standing around the victim who appeared to be under a white sheet.

It is not the first time bodies have been found in the area. As reported previously, the body of another man was also discovered inside Van Cortlandt Park, in the area near Mosholu Golf Course on Nov. 24, 2020. At the time, police said the man’s death did not appear to be suspicious.

 

The body of another man was also discovered inside Van Cortlandt Park at Mosholu Parkway North at West Gun Hill Road on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022.

 

In November 2023, the body of a deceased man was also found in Van Cortlandt Park near Woodlawn Heights.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips.

 

All calls are strictly confidential.