A passerby found the body on Ideal Beach in Middletown around 6:20 a.m. and alerted authorities, they said.
Authorities were trying to identify the victim.
Investigating are New Jersey State Police, Middletown police and the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.
Anyone who might have seen something or has information that could assist investigators is asked to contact Middletown Detective First Class Daniel Sullivan at (732) 615-2120.
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WHAT A HERO LOOKS LIKE: A quick-thinking police officer used his vehicle to push a burning SUV away from a Jersey Shore Taco Bell drive-thru.
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