Stephanie Spear 
On Sunday, March 23rd, 2025, Pier C Park in Hoboken was closed as law enforcement responded to reports of a body in the water. Now, the body has been identified as Julio Flores, 23, of Passaic. This comes after a Lodi man was charged in February in connection with Julio’s disappearance after a shooting at the Castle Point Skate Park in Hoboken. Read on for more.
February 2025
On February 7th, 2025, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office released the following statement:
“On Sunday, February 2, 2025, the Lodi Police Department contacted the Hoboken Police Department and the Homicide Unit after receiving multiple tips that a male had been fatally shot one day earlier in a restricted area of the Hoboken waterfront near Castle Point Skate Park. After an extensive four-day investigation utilizing numerous investigative resources, the Homicide Unit determined Erick Fernandez, 26, fatally shot Julio Flores, 23, of Passaic, at the above location. Following the shooting, Fernandez fled with the victim’s personal belongings, including his vehicle, and later returned to the scene to dispose of Flores’ body in the Hudson River.”
Despite searching the area at the time, Julio’s body was not found. A warrant was issued for Erick Fernandez’s arrest on Thursday, February 6th. At the time, he was in custody at the Garfield Police Department for an unrelated matter.
Erick was charged with murder, felony murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, disturbing/desecrating human remains, hindering, certain persons not to possess a weapon, and robbery.
March 2025
On Sunday, March 23rd, local law enforcement responded to Pier C in Hoboken after reports of a body floating in the water. The Pier was closed for the response.
PRESS RELEASE: Homicide Unit Investigating Male Found Deceased in Hudson River pic.twitter.com/HkRDTeYemP
— ProsecutorSuarezHCPO (@HCPOProsecutor) March 24, 2025
Several HG readers shared photos of the taped-off scene, while law enforcement was quick to note that there was no threat to residents.
^ Police tape is visible on Sinatra Drive at Pier C on Sunday, March 23rd as law enforcement responds to reports of a body in the water. Photo courtesy of Joelle Hernandez.
The scene was cleared by the end of the day.
April 2025
On April 2nd, 2025, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office released a statement confirming that the remains found on March 23rd were those of Julio Flores.
PRESS RELEASE: Human Remains Recovered from Hudson River Identified as Hoboken Homicide Victim pic.twitter.com/mUUreTA2JR
— ProsecutorSuarezHCPO (@HCPOProsecutor) April 2, 2025
Erick Fernandez is in custody at the Hudson County Correctional Facility, awaiting trial. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201- 915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip at: hcpo.opsnetwork.org/tips.
Follow @thehobokengirl on social media to stay in the know.
