Body Found On Marine Park, Brooklyn Shoreline Confirmed As Missing Autistic Man
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Officials confirmed a 20-year-old autistic man was found dead in Brooklyn this week, some 44 days after he was reported missing.
The body of Brian Gewirtz, of Marine Park, Brooklyn, was found at 4:21 p.m. Thursday at 2880 Flatbush Ave., police said.
Gewirtz's body was found at the shoreline, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Gewirtz was an Eagle Scout and loved to go into the woods, 1010 WINS' Gary Baumgarten reported. It is speculated that, that is what drew the autistic and diabetic Gewirtz to the Marine Park Golf Course where his body was found.
"He was joyful. He had a heart of gold, and we would like to thank everyone that supported us, that continued with us, searched with us," said a tearful Linda Rivera.
Rivera said there should be an equivalent to an Amber Alert for people who have special needs.
The New York City Medical Examiner's office confirmed Friday that the man found was Gewirtz. An autopsy will determine the cause of his death.
Another young man with autism – 14-year-old Avonte Oquendo --also suffered a tragic death after vanishing about a year and a half ago.
Avonte slipped out of his school in Long Island City, Queens in October 2013, leading to an intensive search. His remains were found offshore from College Point a few months later.