Body Pulled from Hudson River Linked to February Hoboken Killing

Human remains recovered from the Hudson River last month have been identified as Julio Flores, 23, of Passaic, who was killed in a February shooting near Hoboken’s waterfront.

According to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, a body was found on Sunday, March 23, around 2:15 p.m. near Pier C Park. The male was pronounced dead at the scene. Forensic examinations conducted by the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office and a DNA analysis confirmed the identity of the remains on Wednesday, April 2. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Flores was reportedly shot on Saturday, February 1, in a restricted area near Castle Point Skate Park in Hoboken. On the following day, February 2, Lodi Police contacted Hoboken authorities after receiving multiple tips about a fatal shooting at that location.

Following a four-day investigation, authorities identified Erick Fernandez, 26, of Lodi, as the suspect. Prosecutors allege Fernandez fatally shot Flores, stole his personal belongings and vehicle, and later returned to dispose of his body in the Hudson River.

A warrant for Fernandez’s arrest was issued on February 6, while he was already in custody in Garfield on an unrelated matter. He remains held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility.

Fernandez faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, felony murder, robbery, and weapons offenses, as well as desecrating human remains and hindering apprehension. He is also charged under statutes prohibiting certain persons from possessing firearms.

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office credited several agencies with assisting in the investigation, including the Hoboken, Lodi, Garfield, and Hawthorne Police Departments, New Jersey State Police, the Stevens Institute of Technology Police, the NYPD, the Hudson County DNA Laboratory, and the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.

All charges against Fernandez are accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.