Missing Persons in New Jersey: Ongoing Cases & What We Know

🚨 Missing Persons in New Jersey: Ongoing Cases, Photos & What We Know

New Jersey continues to face a growing number of missing‑person cases, ranging from recent disappearances to decades‑old cold cases. Families, police departments, and community organizations are urging the public to stay alert and share any information that may help bring these individuals home.

This report compiles verified missing‑person cases from the New Jersey State Police and national missing‑persons listings.

📌 Active & Notable Missing Persons in New Jersey

Each profile includes a photo link, summary, last‑known location, and police contact information.

1. Sierra Thomas — Missing from Atlantic City

Age Now: 43
Missing Since: November 21, 2002
Last Seen: Atlantic City, NJ
Photo: SIERRA SAHARA THOMAS - ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY — FBI
Summary: Sierra disappeared in 2002 and remains one of Atlantic City’s longest‑running missing‑person cases.
Contact: Atlantic City Police — 609‑347‑5780

2. Jazmahni Menafield — Missing from Paterson

Age Now: 16
Missing Since: November 25, 2025
Last Seen: Paterson, NJ
Photo: Have you seen this child? Jazmahni Menafield
Summary: Jazmahni is a juvenile who went missing late 2025. Police continue to treat this as an active search.
Contact: Paterson Police — 973‑321‑1111

3. Diamond Ruiz — Missing from Jersey City

Age Now: 16
Missing Since: September 24, 2025
Last Seen: Jersey City, NJ
Photo: Have you seen this child? Diamond Ruiz
Summary: Diamond vanished in 2025. Investigators have released updated photos to assist the public.
Contact: Jersey City Police — 201‑547‑5477

4. Aaliyah Bryant — Missing from Newark

Age Now: 20
Missing Since: August 29, 2023
Last Seen: Newark, NJ
Photo: https://www.newportdispatch.com/2025/10/23/police-seek-missing-woman-in-newark/
Summary: Aaliyah’s case remains open with Newark Police continuing to request public assistance.
Contact: Newark Police — 973‑733‑6000

5. Jyrine Harris — Missing from Irvington

Age Now: 26
Missing Since: June 23, 2002
Last Seen: Irvington, NJ
Photo: Jyrine Harris - The Polly Klaas Foundation
Summary: Missing for over two decades, Jyrine’s case remains one of Irvington’s longest unresolved disappearances.
Contact: Irvington Police — 973‑399‑6600

6. Chrishona Siders — Missing from Paterson

Age Now: 16
Missing Since: December 5, 2025
Last Seen: Paterson, NJ
Photo: Chrishona Siders Missing from PATERSON, New Jersey age 16
Summary: Chrishona is a juvenile missing person whose case remains active and urgent.
Contact: Paterson Police — 973‑321‑1111

7. Jan Cotta — Missing from Wall Township

Age Now: 71
Missing Since: June 26, 1973
Last Seen: Wall Township, NJ
Photo: Jan Andre Cotta – The Charley Project
Summary: One of New Jersey’s oldest cold cases, Jan disappeared in 1973 and has never been located.
Contact: Wall Township Police — 732‑449‑4500

8. Eduardo Barraza — Missing from Newark

Age Now: 15
Missing Since: October 5, 2025
Last Seen: Newark, NJ
Photo: Have you seen this child? Eduardo Barraza
Summary: Eduardo is a missing juvenile whose disappearance remains under active investigation.
Contact: Newark Police — 973‑733‑6277

9. Charlotte Loomis — Missing from Eatontown

Age Now: 67
Missing Since: September 1, 1972
Last Seen: Eatontown, NJ
Photo: Charlotte Jean Loomis – The Charley Project
Summary: Charlotte’s disappearance is one of Monmouth County’s oldest unsolved cases.
Contact: Eatontown Police — 732‑542‑0100

10. Lawrence Verdell — Missing from Camden

Age Now: 67
Missing Since: March 3, 1979
Last Seen: Camden, NJ
Photo: Lawrence Edward Verdell – The Charley Project
Summary: Lawrence vanished in 1979. Camden County Police continue to keep the case open.
Contact: Camden County Police — 856‑757‑7042

11. Maynor Lopez Castro — Missing from Morristown

Age Now: 22
Missing Since: January 3, 2020
Last Seen: Morristown, NJ
Photo: Maynor Lopez-Castro Missing from Morristown, New Jersey age 16
Summary: Maynor disappeared in 2020. His case remains active with Morristown Police.
Contact: Morristown Police — 973‑538‑2200

12. Margaret Fox — Missing from Burlington

Age Now: 66
Missing Since: June 24, 1974
Last Seen: Burlington, NJ
Photo: MARGARET ELLEN FOX — FBI
Summary: Margaret’s disappearance is one of New Jersey’s most widely known cold cases.
Contact: Burlington City Police — 609‑386‑3300

13. Anastasiya Ovetsky — Missing from East Brunswick

Age Now: 43
Missing Since: July 19, 1999
Last Seen: East Brunswick, NJ
Photo: Anastasiya Ovetsky – The Charley Project
Summary: Anastasiya disappeared in 1999. Her case remains open with East Brunswick Police.
Contact: East Brunswick Police