Body of John Fiocco Jr. Recovered

The New Jersey State Police and Mercer County Prosecutor's Office announced at a press conference on April 26 that they have recovered the body of John Fiocco Jr. They also stated that, at this point, there is no evidence of foul play but explained that their investigation will continue. President R. Barbara Gitenstein delivered the following statement during the press conference:

President's Statement

A tragedy has befallen our campus, and we are deeply saddened by the news that John Fiocco Jr.’s body was recovered yesterday at the Tullytown landfill. While many of us had resigned ourselves to the possibility of this outcome, we hoped beyond hope that it would not come to be. On behalf of the entire TCNJ community, I am here to express our shared sorrow and offer condolences to John’s family and loved ones.

While our sadness is overpowering, our feelings are a mere shadow of those John’s family must endure. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. As we work through this horrific time, we at TCNJ must do what all loving families do in the most difficult of times—support one another with compassion and strength.

As an institution, we have two clear priorities. First, we must ensure that the members of our campus community are aware and avail themselves of the support services that we are providing. Second, we must do everything in our power to bring this investigation to a resolution. For more than a month, we have searched desperately for answers. Now we know that John has died, but we must persevere in the effort to determine how this tragic loss occurred.

No words, expressions of sympathy, or descriptions of emotion feel adequate at this moment. I only know that there is tremendous sorrow on campus, expressed in many ways and felt deeply, and that our community has been shaken.

Thank you.