33
NEW HAVEN, CT – The New Haven Police Department is continuing to investigate the death of a man found last weekend in an Edgewood Park pond. Deceased is Brandon Jenkins, age 18. The New Haven man was found Saturday, January 30, 2021. On February 4, the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) confirmed the victim’s identity. The victim had been reported as a missing person.
The missing person investigation began Sunday, December 20, 2020. A patrol officer responded to the victim’s residence where a family member filed the missing person report. As is the protocol, on the day the report was filed, police immediately entered the missing person information into a national database.
In addition to the standard missing person alert, a Silver Alert was later issued for the missing 18-year-old. NHPD officers and Special Victims Unit (SVU) detectives checked local hospitals and shelters in their search. Investigators canvassed areas frequented by the missing man. This included going door to door in the Newhallville neighborhood as well as canvassing Edgewood Park and the New Haven Green. SVU detectives followed tips and leads that included reviewing security camera footage for possible sightings of the missing man.
On Saturday, January 30, a New Haven Fire Department water rescue team removed the victim from the ice-covered Duck Pond of Edgewood Park.
The state OCME has not made a cause and manner of death determination.
The investigation is ongoing. Detectives ask anyone with information to contact the New Haven Police Department at 203-946-6304.