No signs of trauma on homeless man whose body was found next to Bogota railroad tracks

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: Authorities don’t believe a middle-aged homeless man whose body was found in a secluded area alongside railroad tracks in Bogota overnight was struck by a train or the victim of foul play.

Photo Credit: *Cliffview Pilot File Photo*

Jerry DeMarco

08/30/2014 1:36 p.m.

Micheal Clifford, 50, had “serious health issues” and recently was hospitalized, Detective Sgt. Jon Misskerg told CLIFFVIEW PILOT this afternoon.

“Preliminary findings from the Bergen County Medical Examiner indicate that was no sign of trauma,” Misskerg said. “An exact cause of death is pending toxicology results, which will take a few weeks.”

Two pedestrians in the area found the body about 100 feet south of West Fort Lee Road near Elm Avenue after smelling a “pungent odor” around midnight, the detective said.

Train traffic in the area was delayed while Bogota police investigated along with the Bergen County Police, Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and CSX Railroad Police, he said.

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