Shark River Hills Man Dies In Accident In Texas

NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP, NJ — A member of the U.S. Coast Guard who lived in Shark River Hills died July 5 in what is only being disclosed by his family as "a tragic accident."

Christian J. Riozzi-Bodine, known as "Crik," died at the age of 24 in Austin, Texas.

Police in the city of Austin, Texas said his family asked them not to publicly release details about how he died.

"Early in our investigation, the family expressed that they did not want media coverage surrounding their son's death," said a media spokesperson for Austin Police. "Out of respect for their wishes, we are not providing additional information about this case at this time."

At the time of his death, Riozzi-Bodine was just weeks away from completing flight school for the U.S. Coast Guard. He also competed as a professional body builder, according to his Instagram account.

The tight-knit waterfront community of Shark River Hills is "in profound mourning following his sudden and tragic passing," according to his obituary from O'Brien Funeral Home.

Born in Long Branch, Riozzi-Bodine graduated in 2000 from St. Rose Catholic High School in Belmar. In high school, he was captain of their varsity soccer team and was a four-year varsity athlete in soccer, swim and track & field. He also surfed.

Riozzi-Bodine graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 2024. He also used to work as a lifeguard in Spring Lake.

A mass of Christian burial with military honors was held for him Saturday at St. Rose Church in Belmar.