Body on Barnegat Bay island identified as missing Tuckerton clammer

The search for a southern Ocean County fisherman whose family reported him missing in mid-January ends with the identification of remains found on Middle Island in late April.

New Jersey State Police told the Asbury Park Press today that the body was positively identified as that of Christopher Hugg, 45, of Tuckerton.

Authorities said that the cause of death was drowning, and that no foul play is suspected.

State police reported finding Hugg's unattended 17-foot motorboat to his family, informing them that it had run aground on Hither Island. Family members contacted the U.S. Coast Guard, and a search ensued for several days with no success.

The remains reportedly were found by staffers of the Ocean County Mosquito Control Commission.