New Jersey

Missing Swimmer Found Dead on New Jersey Beach: Police

The woman was swimming with a group of friends off of a private beach in Highlands when they noticed she was missing, police said

What to Know

  • A 37-year-old woman was found dead on a New Jersey beach after she went missing while swimming late Saturday night, police said
  • The woman was swimming with a group of friends off of a private beach in Highlands when they noticed she was missing, according to police
  • The Medical Examiner will determine how she died. An investigation is ongoing

A 37-year-old woman was found dead on a New Jersey beach after she went missing while swimming late Saturday, police said.

Melissa Fries, 37, of North Bergen, was swimming with a group of friends off of a private beach in Highlands when they noticed she was missing, according to police.

Her friends reported her missing around 11:15 p.m., police said.

Police officers, the Highlands Fire Department, a state police helicopter and the U.S. Coast Guard responded to the scene soon after.

Fries was found dead on the beach where she was reported missing just before 6 a.m. Sunday, according to police.

The Medical Examiner will determine how she died. An investigation is ongoing.

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