Search For Missing NJ College Student Led Through Nutley: Police

NUTLEY, NJ — A missing college student was found after a search that lasted for days throughout North Jersey, including Nutley.

Authorities confirmed Friday that Morgan Panzer, the Bergen Community College student reported missing last week, has been found and is safe.

After a plea from her parents, police from several agencies launched a massive search for Panzer, 19, a Nutley resident. Police previously said that Panzer was seen walking into a parking garage on the Paramus campus alone. Her father confirmed the disappearance on Facebook, stating that Panzer "possibly got in a car in the parking garage with an unknown person or persons."

• See related article: Missing Bergen Community College Student Found Safe

The Nutley Police Department released a missing person alert for the college student on Dec. 3, writing that she was reported missing out of Paramus on Dec. 1 and that the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office was investigating.

“Ms. Panzer frequents Nutley, Clifton and Glen Rock,” authorities said. “She was recently spotted at Petco in Clifton and near 58 High Street [in Nutley], where she ran from law enforcement attempting to locate her.”

Nutley police released additional information about the case on Monday. Police wrote:

“A 19-year-old Nutley girl who attends Bergen College in Paramus was reported missing out of Bergen County. Due to her Nutley residency, agencies collectively investigated her whereabouts. The young girl was observed in the Nutley area, which launched a search throughout the Nutley Park area, leading multiple agencies into Clifton. Officers used K-9, air drone and multiple search teams in an effort to locate the missing girl that was entered as endangered. Clifton and Nutley officers responded to Wendy’s in Clifton the following day and found her in good health. Clifton EMS responded to scene and rendered medical assistance. The 19-year-old’s parents also responded.”

This article contains reporting by Montana Samuels, Patch staff

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