JACKSON, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Jackson Township Police Chief Matthew Kunz announced that on August 3, 2024, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Jackson Township Police responded to the area of Prospertown Lake for a report of a missing person. Responding Officers discovered that John Pereira, 29, of Old Bridge, had gone missing after his kayak had capsized. Based on interviews with witnesses, it was determined that Mr. Pereira was not wearing a personal flotation device and was believed to have drowned. On August 4, 2024, at approximately 3:55 p.m., search and rescue divers recovered Mr. Pereira’s deceased body from the lake. Mr. Pereira’s body was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River where a post mortem examination is scheduled.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Kunz acknowledge the assistance of all the responding agencies that assisted in this investigation: Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Jackson Township Police Department, New Jersey State Police Marine Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, New Jersey Conservation Police, Ocean County Fire Coordinators Office, Lakewood Township Police Department Dive Team, Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department, Jackson Mills Volunteer Fire Department, New Egypt Fire Company, West Tuckerton Fire Company, Hightstown Engine Company Number 1, Lacey Township Volunteer Fire Department, Whiting Fire Company, Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst Fire Department, Central Jersey K-9 Search and Rescue, Township of Hamilton Dive Team, Hope Fire Company, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office.
