Kayakers find dead body in Delaware Bay at Jersey Shore

The Cape May-Lewes Ferry.
cmlf.com/for PhillyVoice

Authorities in Lower Township are looking to determine the cause of death of a man whose body was discovered by two kayakers Sunday afternoon in the Delaware Bay.

Police said the kayakers called 911 just after 3:45 p.m. when they noticed a man's body in the water. The kayakers pulled the man out of the water and recognized immediately that he was deceased.

A preliminary investigation identified the victim as 71-year-old Christopher J. Heise, Sr., whose belongings were found on the beach nearby with some of his family members.

There were no visible signs of trauma on Heise's body and no indication of foul play.

Officials in Cape May County are working with state police to determine what led to Heise's death. An autopsy was scheduled to be performed by the South Regional Medical Examiner's Office.