Body of Missing Boater Washes Up at Island Beach State Park

The body of an Ocean Gate man who was reported missing after failing to return home from a trip on his row boat has been found washed up at Island Beach State Park.

The tragic discovery was made by New Jersey State Park Police Thursday, according to a statement from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

The man has been identified as Matthew Conway, 67, of Ocean Gate. On Tuesday, Conway took his row boat out on the water but did not return home. After a number of hours, he was reported as a missing person to the Ocean Gate Police Department.

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“An autopsy will be performed on Mr. Conway to confirm his cause of death,” Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mr. Conway.”

Billhimer thanked the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, New Jersey State Park Police, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, New Jersey State Police Marine Unit, Seaside Park Police Department, and Ocean Gate Police Department “for their combined assistance in this investigation.”