eighteen-year- old New Milford student found dead in Hardcastle Pond District on Clinten G. Ajit was identified Friday night, according to his church.
Church of St. Peter Mar Thoma announced that the viewing will take place on Sunday for Ajit, with funeral service set for Monday – Both at Washington Township Church.
“Please support family in your prayers during this difficult time,” Church Officials posted when referring to view Sunday service at 16:00 online.
body of the missing New Milford High School student was located on Friday in Police said Hardcastle Pond – near Dorchester Lane – around 10:00 pm.
The officers responded to call around 19:15 someone went swimming in pond and never returned, police said. First responders found and identified body.
The Bergen County Medical Examiner’s Office and the New Milford Police Department are cooperating to determine cause of deathaccording to news release from the police station. Bergen County Attorney’s Office on On Sunday, questions about the investigation were referred to the local police. who did not immediately provide comment.
“So much of you know already, last evening, April 22, 2022, one of our twelfth grade seniors died. This inexplicable and tragic loss sure evoke a lot of emotions, fears and questions,” Daniel Shanley, Superintendent of New Milford Public Schools, said in saturday letter to school community.
Shanley provided the letter to NJ Advance Media, but declined to comment further on Incident.
In the letter, Shanley informed families and staff that a Crisis Intervention Team and Tragic Loss Coalition would be established in the county. on hand to help students.
“From Monday we will have team of highly qualified professionals available for Any student who May need or want any type of assistance for this loss,” Shanley said, who added what start Monday time for high school students will be detained until 10 am “We encourage parents talk to them children about using our resources.”
Help line set up for students and parents and also specific mental health office hours.
Fundraising GoFundMe campaign organized by Gabriella George, family a friend from Weehawken, according to NorthJersey.com. He raised over $52,000 of Sunday morning.
George described Ajit as “loving son …and brother” who originally from Niranam, Kerala, India.
“His family immigrated to the United States in September 2012 when he was eight years old,” said George. online. “He liked to be involved. in musical theatre, ensemble and various sports. Clinten was smart, funny and kind young Human.”
According to George, Ajit planned to study criminal justice at Montclair State University.
Support poured in online for Ajita family.
Office in New Milford of mayor posted online about the incident by providing a link to GoFundMe for anyone who sought show support to Ajit family.
“Thoughts and prayers of our community are with in family”, Mayor office said.
Another man posted on GoFundMe that Ajit was “a wonderful person with great spirit and potential.”
“I will miss his smile and desire to make people smile and laugh”, man added.
NJ Advance Media staff writer Deion Johnson contributed to this report.
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Stephen Rodas can be contacted at srodas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @stevenrodasnj.
