Missing East Haven Man 'Despondant' Before Disappearance

Update at 2:15 p.m.

Madison Patch is now reporting that Meigs Point, East Beach, and Middle Beach lots have been reopened. State park officials say the search continues.

ORIGINAL POST

The search continues a second day at Hammonassett State Park in Madison for a missing East Haven man.

John Lecza, 56, was reportedly last seen on Tuesday in Milford. But the Roberts Drive resident is believed to be somewhere within the large shoreline state park.

Lecza is a white male, about 5'9" tall, weighing some 220 pounds, with blue eyes and salt and pepper hair. He is often called "Jack" as well as John.

Car Found at Hammonassett

EnCon Capt. Ryan Healy told Madison Patch that a car associated with the search was found at Meigs Point in the park on Wednesday. The search started around 10:30 p.m. that same night.

Then, around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, the park was closed when canine units, dive teams, and search planes were called in to help with the search.

State authorities then resumed their search for a second day first thing Friday morning. So far, it has been an unsuccessful one.

'Missing and Endangered'

Cyndy Chanaca, a representative from the Office of Communications of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, . 

She said that Lecza is not believed to be a danger to others, but was reported as being despondent by family members.

The Silver Alert issued late last night by East Haven Police lists Lecza as "missing and endangered." The alert is attached to this post as a PDF document.

Navy Seal

A Madison Patch reader who said he is a friend of the family said family and friends are concerned because it is uncharacteristic for him to be out of touch for this long.

He said the missing man has military training as a Navy Seal, and so would know how to survive outside for periods of time.

Contact Police with Any Info

If you have any information concerning Lecza, contact the East Haven Police Department at (203)0468-3820 or D.E.E.P. at (860)-424-3333 or the Connecticut State Police at (860) 685-8190.

East Haven Patch will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.