State Police from Troops F and K conducted a missing person investigation

On April 30, 2021 state police from Troop K began an investigation into the disappearance of a missing man from Yonkers, NY. Initial investigation revealed that Jesse Ritholz, age 36 from Yonkers was reported missing by a family member. Family members advised state troopers from Troop K that Jesse was supposed to come to their home for a visit on April 24, 2021.

Jesse’s mother and father visited his apartment on April 27, 2021, and observed that everything appeared normal. Investigators learned that Jesse rented a black BMW 330 on April 22, 2021. On April 30, 2021, troopers from Troop F located the vehicle in the town of Hunter, Greene County in the Laurel House Road parking lot for the Kaaterskill Falls.

Uniformed troopers, New York State Police Aviation, Underwater Recovery Team, and the Troop K Bloodhound began to search for Mr. Ritholz in the area. State police were assisted in the search by the Greene County Sheriff’s patrol units and their Dive Team and the New York State Forest Rangers. 

Jesse Ritholz was located deceased in the water by the base of Kaaterskill Falls. He was recovered by the NYSP Underwater Recovery Team. Mr. Ritholz’s body was transported to Ellis Hospital by the Greene County Coroner’s Office. The preliminary cause of death is listed as head injuries from a fall onto rocks. 

This investigation is ongoing.