Body of NJ swimmer who disappeared in Vermont waterfalls found

WARREN, Vt. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — A body believed to belong to a New Jersey man was recovered from the Mad River near Warren Falls in Vermont on Wednesday, four days after he went missing swimming at the falls, authorities said.

At about 1:45 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, Vermont State Police were informed that a man—later identified as 35-year-old Tuan Baldino of Paramus, New Jersey—went missing while swimming in the Cascades section of the falls.

Local first responders and the VSP Underwater Recovery Team were dispatched to the scene, but the search was unsuccessful. It resumed on Sunday, but the Mad River’s “high and swift water” made recovery impossible, police said.

The search continued Wednesday, and late in the afternoon authorities recovered a body believed to be Baldino.

The body was transported to the medical examiner in Burlington, who will confirm his identity and determine cause of death. Police said that the incident does not appear suspicious.

Warren Falls and the surrounding river area were closed in the aftermath of the recovery, as it remains dangerous. Police said that the water was filled with debris due to the removal of several logs during the recovery operation.

“The Vermont State Police cautions the public to expect continued hazardous conditions even after the area re-opens to the public, and to avoid swimming or jumping into the river,” police said in a statement.