NEWARK, NJ — Authorities do not believe “foul play” was involved in a Sunday, Jan. 28, death at a homeless shelter, the city’s public safety director said.
A police officer working at the Hotel Riviera at 169 Clinton Ave. was alerted by an employee who found an unresponsive resident inside a unit there at 1:59 p.m., Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said.
The victim — whose name, age and last known residence remained undisclosed on Monday — was pronounced dead at 2:25 p.m., according to Fragé.
Police did not state the cause of death.
A person answering the phone at the Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office directed TAPinto Newark to send an inquiry via the state Department of Health. The request sent in the afternoon was not returned by 6:30 p.m. Monday.
A resident of the shelter said he had heard first-responders the day before but that such sounds are a usual occurrence at the location.
“It’s regular to hear cops and firetrucks, ambulances,” the resident said.
Property records filed with the county show that in 2023, the historic hotel was sold to 169 Clinton Development Urban Renewal LLC for $8.5 million.