Police Identity Man Found Dead In Beacon Stream On New Year's Day

BEACON, NY — The City of Beacon Police Department identified the person whose body was found in a stream in Beacon on New Year’s Day.

Police Chief Sands Frost said Walter Miranda, 58, was found dead in the stream located in a wooded area just off of Teller Avenue near Henry Street around 11:45 a.m. Jan. 1.

While the Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to finalize its report because it is waiting for the toxicology results, Frost said the man’s death is likely related to a fall causing a head injury.

There were no other signs of a struggle or any other injuries indicating an assault, police said.

An autopsy was conducted Jan. 3 by the medical examiner, and the Beacon police detective bureau spent many days examining security footage from area cameras and interviewing Miranda’s associates and family members, Frost said.

Important information was gathered regarding social interactions, habits and other factors, including any possible chemical dependencies.

Frost acknowledged the frustration in the community regarding the length of time it took to release information.

“We owe it to the victim and to the victim’s family and friends to as thorough as possible investigating any death that may seem suspicious,” he said. “This process can take quite a while to complete.

“Our heart goes out to Walter’s family and friends,” Frost said. “We would also like to thank everyone who cooperated with us in the investigation.”