Missing N.J. paraprofessional found dead along Rahway River, police say – NJ.com
The missing man who worked as a Linden Public School’s paraprofessional was found dead Saturday along the Rahway River, police said.
Brian Gooney, 55, was reported missing last month and was last seen leaving his Rahway apartment on March 9. His body was found on the river banks near Essex Street in Rahway, police said.
Rahway police did not say whether his death was suspicious and an autopsy will be conducted by the Union County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine how he died.
Rahway officers and the Union County Police Department conducted several searches of the Rahway River, its banks and the surrounding area since he was reported missing, police said.
Gooney was a paraprofessional at Soehl Middle School in Linden for the last two years and previously worked more than a decade in the district as a substitute teacher. His car was left in the parking lot of his Main Street apartment and his cell phone was not found, his family previously said.
Linden Public Schools educators gathered in solidarity to raise awareness about Brian Gooney, a paraprofessional at Soehl Middle School who has been missing since March 9. Some of his family members are expected to attend. George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
“We wish it would have turned out better,” Karen Gooney, his sister-in-law, said Sunday in a phone call. “We’re all just heartbroken.”
She said the family had plans to hold a small Easter gathering and will miss Gooney, who always brought snacks for the family.
Gooney was unmarried and did not have children. He leaves behind two brothers and a sister, along with three nieces and a nephew.
The Linden Public Schools community also held a rally to raise awareness about his disappearance. They mourned his passing with a statement on Facebook.
Authorities said they are still investigating the situation. The Rahway Police Department asks that anyone with information to contact Detective Tilton at 732-827-2146 or the Rahway Police Department TIPS Line at 732-388-1553.
This story has been updated with comments from Gooney’s family and Linden Public Schools.
NJ Advance Media reporter Amanda Hoover contributed to this report.
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Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com.