A 69-year-old grandfather from Bellmawr, New Jersey has been identified as the man found dead in the Susquehanna River in rural Jackson Township, Pennsylvania, with state police confirming the discovery happened near a property on Riverside Lane and that an active death investigation remains underway a month later.
Body Recovered Near Riverside Lane
James R. “Jim” Stanaitis was located in the area of Riverside Lane in Jackson Township, Northumberland County, according to the NJ.com report on the identification, which cited Pennsylvania State Police. The VantageAI listing names Northumberland County Fire and EMS and Northumberland Public Safety recordings and dates the water-rescue incident to September 5. Stanaitis's body was ultimately recovered from the river at 210 Riverside Lane in Herndon.
An ongoing death investigation is underway at 210 Riverside Lane. Police asked the public to stay away from the scene. Troopers have declined to release additional details, citing the ongoing investigation, and have not disclosed a cause or manner of death.
A Lifelong South Jersey Sports Fan
Stanaitis was a native of Gloucester City, New Jersey, a historic waterfront city in Camden County directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, though he had lived more recently in Bellmawr. His wife Adrienne and daughter Stacy both live in Pennsylvania, according to an obituary published by McCann-Healey Funeral Home, which helps explain his ties to the region where his body was found.
The obituary described Stanaitis as a person known for his quick wit and generous laugh, an avid fan of Gloucester City and greater Philadelphia sports, and someone with a lifelong passion for music and sports collectibles. In his later years, he especially loved visiting with his two grandsons, the obituary states. He was survived by his wife, a son, a daughter, his mother, a sister, and many other relatives and friends. The family held private memorial services and asked that memorial contributions be directed to the Gloucester City Lion's Club in New Jersey.
Open Questions Remain in the River
How Stanaitis, a longtime South Jersey resident, came to be in the Susquehanna River in rural Northumberland County has not been publicly explained by investigators. Pennsylvania State Police have withheld a cause or manner of death while the investigation continues, and have said there is no broader threat to area residents.
Northumberland County, which includes Jackson Township and falls under the Stonington state police jurisdiction, had an estimated 2025 population of just under 90,000 residents, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures.
