The body of a man who has been missing since Christmas Eve was found near boat docks in Stamford on Sunday afternoon.
Paulino Mendoza, 24, disappeared on Dec. 24, 2014 and was reported missing on Dec. 28.
Police were called to the boat docks at Cove Island Park around 1 p.m. on Sunday after a the body was found.
The man was fully dressed, wearing a leather jacket and red sneakers, and had identification on him.
Police said it appeared Mendoza had been submerged for a while. They have not been able to determine the cause of death and the office of the chief medical examiner will conduct an autopsy on Monday.
Relatives told police Mendoza was out with friends before he disappeared and was last seen in the area of Willowbrook and Cove roads around 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 24.
Police searched for Mendoza after he was reported missing and K-9 tracks led authorities to the Cove Park vicinity, but they could not determine if Mendoza had gone into the water at that time.
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“Today, we express our condolences to the Mendoza family who, along with the Police, valiantly attempted to search for Mendoza with friends and neighbors,” police said in a news release.
Mendoza emigrated from Guatemala and lived and worked in Stamford for several years.
Stamford Police said they worked closely with the Guatemalan community and community leaders, the neighbors link organization and the Guatemalan Consulate as they tried to find Mendoza.
Anyone with information that can assist in the search is asked to call the Stamford Police detective bureau.
An autopsy will be performed on Monday.
