Putnam County Police Seek Leads In Croton Falls Homicide

According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, a homicide investigation is underway following the discovery of a body in the Croton Falls Reservoir on December 7, 2025.

Deputies responded after a fisherman reported seeing something in the water. Investigators recovered the body, later identified by family members as 66-year-old Aurelio Zhunio-Orbez. Zhunio-Orbez had been reported missing to the Danbury Police Department on December 1, prompting a multi-agency search in both Connecticut and New York.

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The Croton Falls Reservoir—one of several reservoirs that support New York City’s drinking water system—is a large, wooded, and often isolated area that attracts fishermen, hikers, and people looking for quiet outdoor space.

Following a post-mortem examination, the Putnam County Coroner ruled the death a homicide. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office, along with partner agencies, are now conducting a full criminal investigation.

A key part of that investigation is the search for the victim’s stolen vehicle—a black Toyota Sienna livery cab. Evidence suggests the perpetrator took the vehicle after the homicide. Authorities are asking the public to keep an eye out for the van and report any sightings immediately.

Putnam County Sheriff's Department

The vehicle is a black Toyota Sienna livery cab with “ORBESTAXI.COM” printed on the rear, a “V89” marking on the left side of the back, and a white roof-mounted accessory displaying the word “TAXI” in black lettering. It also carries New York registration, as seen in the photo provided by investigators.

The Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone who may have seen this vehicle or witnessed anything unusual involving it in the Brewster or Purdy's areas on or around December 1, 2025, to come forward. Even the smallest detail could help investigators piece together the timeline and identify the person responsible.

Sheriff Brian Hess and Undersheriff James Menton said the case is now an active homicide investigation, and that detectives and partner agencies are working tirelessly to determine what happened, identify the person responsible, and bring justice to Mr. Zhunio-Orbez and his family. They urged anyone who may have seen the vehicle or noticed anything out of the ordinary to reach out immediately.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office at (845) 225-4300, Ext. 42252.

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