By Cate Casparius ’19

Around 8:30 a.m. on May 4, a Westport resident reported seeing a body on the shore of Saugatuck Shores. After arriving on scene, police discovered a deceased  man washed up on Harbour Road and closed the area for further investigation.

Residents of Saugatuck Shores were shocked to see police cars and caution tape blocking off parts of their neighborhood on Friday. “At first [the situation] made me uncomfortable since it was so close to my house,” Alexa Stiegler ’19 said. “It’s basically the next street over from where I live.”

On Tuesday, the police identified the man in the accident through fingerprint examination. Greg Garoffolo was 60 years old and a resident of Westport.

“My family knew [Greg]. He was a close friend’s brother,” Stiegler said. “I didn’t know him personally and neither did my parents but it still made me upset.”

According to The Westport Patch, “Police said investigators learned that Garoffolo’s vehicle had been located on the Interstate 95 Saugatuck River overpass early Friday morning, and was subsequently towed by state police.”

Detectives and a medical examiner investigated the situation. According to Lt. Jillian Cabana, Garoffolo had injuries identifying a fall followed by a drowning but no foul play was suspected.

Christine Taylor ’18, another resident of Saugatuck Shores, commented on the situation. “As of now I’m more confused if anything. It’s very sad and scary to think that this could happen,” Taylor said.