Bridgeport, Conn. – On Sunday afternoon, two anglers reported finding an unresponsive man floating in the northern section of Bunnell’s Pond, located within Beardsley Park. The discovery was made at approximately 3:51 p.m., prompting a rapid response from Bridgeport fire crews and police officers.
Police and medical examiner respond
Firefighters arrived on scene and removed the extremely decomposed body, which was still clothed and carrying several personal items. Bridgeport Police Department officers, detectives, and members of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner were also dispatched to assist with the investigation.
Detective Stavros Mirtsopoulos, the department’s lead investigator, told reporters that preliminary observations suggest the man may have been in the water for a week or longer. “He was clothed and was carrying several personal items,” Mirtsopoulos said. “We are still working to determine his identity and the cause of death.”
Identity and cause of death under investigation
The Bridgeport Police Department has not released a name for the victim, noting that they are reviewing recent missing‑persons reports to see if any match the description. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday morning at the medical examiner’s office in Farmington, and detectives indicated they may need to employ forensic science techniques, such as DNA analysis, to confirm the man’s identity.
Authorities have stated that, at this time, there is no evidence of foul play. The investigation remains ongoing, and police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Mirtsopoulos at (203) 581‑5256.
Community response
Beardsley Park is a popular local recreation area, and the discovery has raised concerns among residents who frequent the park’s trails and waterways. City officials have not announced any changes to park access while the investigation proceeds.
The Bridgeport Police Department continues to update the public as new information becomes available.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
