Search for missing person in Wharton State Forest continues
Kaitlyn McCormick______________________________________
Officials combed through an area of Wharton State Forest Monday after a person was reported missing in the Northfield area over the weekend.
The missing person has been identified as Elliot Ganiel, 32, according to a news release Tuesday from the Northfield City Police Department.
The police department corrected a previous press release after interviews with family revealed they had the incorrect name and pronouns for Ganiel, who identifies as male.
According to the release, a family member received a call from the New Jersey State Police that Ganiel's vehicle was found at the Mullica River Canoe Landing in Batsto, before discovering him missing. The family member hadn't seen Ganiel for the last three days.
The police department received a report of a possible missing person from the 400 block of Davis Avenue in Northfield on Saturday March 2 at approximately 10:40 p.m.
Ganiel is described as having brown eyes and short brown hair, weighing around 140 lbs and standing about 5-foot-4-inches tall. His clothing description is unknown.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said Tuesday that the search for Ganiel, a resident of Mullica Township in Atlantic County, continues with a focus on both the water and wooded areas within the forest.
Multiple police crews are working the search, including the New Jersey State Police, the New Jersey State Park Police, The Atlantic County Sheriff's Office, search and rescue teams from Camden and Atlantic Counties, as well as dive teams, K-9's, drone units and infrared systems.
The Northfield PD is asking that anyone with tips submit them to 609.641.3122.
The NJDEP is urging anyone with information to call the DEP hotline at 1.877.927.6337.
This story is developing and will likely be updated.
Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@gannett.com. And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.