A New York City Police Department detective is believed to have killed himself, according to updates from investigators following news that Joseph Calabrese’s body had been found.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, a search began for the 57-year-old after he was reported missing early Thursday morning.
Bloodhounds joined dozens of police officers in searching an area near where another NYPD detective found his abandoned vehicle at about 3 a.m. — just an hour after he was last seen at an area hospital where he visited his wife as she prepared for surgery.
Boats and helicopters aided as many as 100 police cruisers at the scene.
According to the New York Daily News, Calabrese’s body was found at Plumb Beach with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In a statement confirming the death, Detectives Endowment Association President Michael Palladino expressed his grief.
“I am shocked and shattered beyond belief,” he said. “Joseph Calabrese was a dedicated detective, union official, husband and father. He was the salt of the earth.”
If early reports are confirmed, Calabrese’s death would be the NYPD’s second suicide in as many days.
Deputy Chief Steven Silks was reportedly found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Wednesday night. According to Gothamist, his body was found inside of his patrol car.
The 62-year-old was reportedly just weeks away from his birthday, which would have meant a mandatory retirement after nearly four decades in the uniform.
[Featured image: Joseph Calabrese/NYCDetectives.org]
