NJ Teen Found Dead After Climbing Into Dumpster In PA

MANAHAWKIN, NJ - A Jersey Shore teenager was found dead Saturday at a Pennsylvania recycling plant after he was captured on video climbing into a dumpster earlier that morning, authorities said.

Kellen J. Bischoff, 19, of Manahawkin, died Saturday after falling into a dumpster - which later had its contents compressed and taken to a recycling facility - following an off-campus college party near Kutztown University, the Berks County District Attorney's Office said in a statement. Bischoff was visiting a family member at the university at the time.

Surveillance footage recovered by investigators showed the teen diving into a dumpster behind a Dollar Tree store on Constitution Boulevard in Kutztown. A trash hauler arrived hours later to empty and compress the contents of the bin, which were then taken to Total Recycling Facility in Birdsboro where Bischoff’s body was found, the Berks County District Attorney's Office said.

Kutztown Borough police later identified Bischoff as a man who had been reported missing hours earlier.

An autopsy performed Monday found no signs of foul play, with toxicology reports still pending.

The autopsy did confirm that his fatal injuries "were consistent with having been dumped into and later compressed by the trash truck."

The investigation is still ongoing, the Berks County District Attorney's Office said, adding that, to date, no evidence of foul play has been found and Bischoff's death appears to be accidental.

Bischoff is survived by his parents, Patty Bischoff and Mike Bischoff of Manahawkin; his siblings, Nathaniel and Raegan; and his pets, Sullivan and Finnegan, according to an online obituary.

The teen was a lifelong resident of Manahawkin and graduated from Southern Regional High School in May. The National Honor Society member and Southern Regional Rams wrestler recently followed his musical passions from New Jersey to Florida to attend Full Sail University, his obituary added.

A memorial gathering is slated for Sunday at 2 p.m. at Maxwell-Tobie Funeral Home (573 Mill Creek Road). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bischoff’s memory to Pointer Rescue, Happy Paws Rescue and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.