Man found dead on Rt. 30

Cause of death unknown

by Gabe Donio, Gazette Staff Writer

HAMMONTON—The body of a 43-year-old Hispanic male was found behind Pike Wine & Liquors on the White Horse Pike (Route 30) on April 20, Hammonton Police Detective Joel Frederico said. Frederico said an autopsy had been performed on April 20, and the police department is awaiting results. The deceased man’s name is being withheld until next-of-kin, if any, can be notified.
As of April 21, Frederico told The Gazette that the police were not treating the death as a homicide.
“It doesn’t appear that there was any foul play. There was no sign of any physical trauma,” Frederico said.
The people who called the police thought the man was unconscious, Frederico said.
“The original callers thought he was passed out, but when police arrived on the scene he was found to be deceased,” Frederico said.
Frederico confirmed that the body found last week was located near the place where local resident Martinez Colon was found murdered nearly two years ago. Colon, 35, was beaten to death and left in the woods behind Pike Wine & Liquors on July 11, 2006. According to police sources, Colon was killed on his birthday. His murder remains unsolved.
“It’s not in the same location. It’s in the same general area,” Frederico said.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit investigated the area, Frederico said. Detective Gerardo Martinez, Sgt. Steven Zoyac and Officer Joseph Maimone all were involved in the investigation, Frederico said.