Death of Woman With Gunshot Wound Ruled Suicide

Chief Frank Papapietro said in a release Wednesday that the Bergen County Medical Examiner and New Milford Detectives have determined that the wounds observed on the along the banks of the Hackensack River Tuesday were self inflicted.

The woman was reported missing to the  late Monday evening. New Milford Police located the victim's car in the parking lot of Shop Rite on River Road. With the assistance of the Bergen County K-9 Unit, police performed an extensive search of the area. However, the dogs lost track of her scent when the tide came in. Her body was discovered by a close family member at approximately 8am Tuesday morning.

The woman's body was recovered from the Hackensack River by divers from the Bergen County Dive Unit.

Papapietro said that the weapon found at the scene had belonged to an acquaintance of the victim's and had been reported stolen Monday evening.

Papapietro said that during the investigation detectives learned that the victim had been suffering from depression as a result of her mother's long illness and subsequent death, along with other issues, as well. 

Because the death has been ruled a suicide, Papapietro said that he is not releasing the name of the victim out of respect for the family.