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Paterson police notified the family of 26-year-old Jorge Alcalde-Alfaro that it was him after an autopsy by a New Jersey Medical Examiner on Wednesday, investigators said.
The key identifiers: tattoos and a gold tooth.
Alcalde-Alfaro had signs of head trauma, but the medical examiner couldn't officially declare his death a homicide without further investigation by Paterson and Prospect Park police and the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office.
The body had been covered in mud for awhile, the medical examiner said.
Alcalde-Alfaro hadn't been seen since he left his home on Easter, April 1, headed towards the Paterson area near JFK High School (SEE: Missing Prospect Park Man Has Distinguishing Tattoos).
His remains were recovered from the Molly Ann Brook behind John F. Kennedy High School near Westwood Park around 1:40 p.m. Tuesday (SEE: Is Body Pulled From Passaic River In Paterson Missing Prospect Park Man?).
Valdes asked that anyone with information that could help investigators contact them through her office's tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or Paterson police detectives: (973) 321-1120.
All contact will be kept confidential.
"We're not sure when they will have the results," Prospect Park Councilman Anand Shah said. "We're just waiting on them."
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