Body Of Missing NJ Teacher, Coach Found Submerged In River: Police

NORTH JERSEY — The body of a missing North Jersey teacher was found submerged in the Passaic River on Tuesday, police said.

Brian Kolakowski, 37, of North Arlington, was found submerged in his car by the New Jersey State Police Marine Services Unit, said the Kearny police in a statement late on Tuesday.

Kolakowski was a physical education teacher and girls' tennis coach at Harrison High School in Hudson County.

Police in Kearny said that after Kolakowski was reported missing to the North Arlington Police Department last Wednesday, they began investigating.

On Friday, according to the Kearny police, Detective Kyle Plaugic searched that town's security camera footage and found that at 4:29 a.m. on Tuesday — the day he was later reported missing — his Volkswagen Jetta had entered the Passaic River via a boat ramp at the Frank Vincent Marina in Kearny.

Police used drones to survey the river and found that the car had drifted south, overturned, and then sank, they said.

"The depth and positioning of the vehicle, compounded by adverse weather conditions and poor underwater visibility, complicated the recovery efforts, which spanned several days," said the Kearny police.

The car and Kolakowski's body were recovered Tuesday, according to police. Kolakowski's family was notified.

Kearny police said they had released the details in order to address questions from the public.

"There is no evidence to suggest that this incident was the result of any criminal act, nor is there any indication of a threat to public safety," they said.

NJ.com said that the Harrison public schools issued a letter to the community, "Remembering Kolakowski as a teacher dedicated to education whose mentorship proved pivotal in both the classroom and on the tennis court." They will make counselors available to the school community for support, they said.

Kolakowski won the NJIC Meadowlands coach of the year award in 2023.

He had previously taught at the district's middle school.

A Harrison community group posted on social media on Tuesday, "Much love and condolences to the family, friends, coworkers, and students of beloved Washington Middle School Phys Ed teacher, Brian Kolakowski. Mr Kola was a beacon of light and positive energy to all who knew him and will be forever missed."