POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – A quiet Tuesday morning in the City of Poughkeepsie took a grim turn when authorities discovered a body in Fallkill Creek, prompting a major emergency response and temporarily halting traffic during rush hour.
Police officers were dispatched around 8:00 a.m. to the westbound arterial near Maple Street, between North Cherry and North White Streets, after receiving a report of a possible body in the water. Upon arrival, law enforcement confirmed the presence of a deceased individual in the creek.
Given the location of the body in a hard-to-access area below the road, the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department was immediately called in to assist with the recovery. Fire crews brought in Tower Ladder 2, a specialized ladder truck designed for high-angle operations, to retrieve the body from the creek safely.
To allow rescue crews to work, traffic was halted across all three lanes of the westbound arterial. Motorists were asked to use alternate routes while police and fire officials coordinated the recovery effort. The scene created significant delays for commuters during one of the busiest periods of the day.
The identity of the deceased has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin and further investigation by the authorities. The gender and age of the individual were also not immediately confirmed by officials on the scene.
Police: No Foul Play Suspected
City of Poughkeepsie Police Chief Rich Wilson offered a brief update later in the day, confirming that, at this stage in the investigation, foul play is not suspected in the individual’s death.
“While the cause of death is still under investigation, there is currently no indication that this was a criminal incident,” said Chief Wilson. “We will await autopsy results and additional findings before making a final determination.”
Investigation Ongoing
Although authorities believe there is no immediate threat to public safety, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the discovery remains active. Detectives are reviewing nearby surveillance footage and speaking with local residents and business owners in the area in hopes of gathering more information.
The presence of a body in the creek has raised concerns among some community members, particularly due to the proximity to a residential neighborhood and a busy roadway.
The police are urging anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the area in the hours leading up to the discovery—or who may have information that could assist the investigation—to come forward.
How to Submit Information
If you have any information regarding the incident or the identity of the deceased, you are encouraged to contact the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department’s confidential tip line at 845-451-7577. Tips can be submitted anonymously, and all leads will be followed up by investigators.
As the city awaits further updates from the coroner’s office, questions remain about how and when the person ended up in Fallkill Creek. Authorities are expected to release additional details in the coming days.
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