Drowning was cause of Clayton mayor's death, NJ State Police say

Authorities have determined that the former Clayton mayor, whose body was discovered Tuesday on a Strathmere beach, drowned in the waters off the Jersey shore.

Ivan Bliznetsov

"Southern Regional Medical Examiner's Office has determined drowning as the cause of death of Jeffrey Radio, 43, of Clayton, N.J. Additionally, the Office has ruled the manner of death to be undetermined," according to an announcement on the New Jersey State Police Facebook page Thursday afternoon.

Radio’s body was first discovered by a television station helicopter on Tuesday. He was transported to the medical examiner where he was identified and an autopsy performed.

His wife, Nancy Althoff, confirmed his death in a message on Radio’s Facebook page.

“I don’t have all the answers as to what happened yet as it is an ongoing investigation,” she wrote. “I know that everyone who knew loved him and will miss him. My life will never be the same. I need strength from everyone to help me go on. He was my soul mate.”

State Police say the investigation is "active and ongoing" and no additional information is available.