Missing N.J. Hiker's Body Found In New Hampshire Mountains

CONWAY, NH -- The body of a Brick Township man who went missing while hiking in New Hampshire has been found, a family member has confirmed.

The body of Gregory Auriemma was found Thursday, his sister-in-law, Cathy Auriemma, said in a post on Facebook on Thursday evening. News12 New Jersey reported he was found by another hiker, quoting Auriemma's brother. New Hampshire Fish and Game officials said a campsite that was confirmed as Auriemma's had been found by another hiker last weekend with no sign of the 63-year-old.

"We regret to say that Greg is no longer with us," Cathy Auriemma wrote. "Greg's body was recovered today. We do not have details at this point but we did want to keep everyone informed."

Information on how far Auriemma was found from his campsite or possible cause of death were not immediately available late Thursday night from New Hampshire Fish and Game officials.

Auriemma, chair of the Ocean County group of the New Jersey Sierra Club, who had set off from North Conway, New Hampshire on June 24 on what was to be a 10-day, 30-mile hike, had been the subject of an intensive search after he was reported missing when he did not show up for a Sierra Club barbecue, his brother told NJ 101.5.com earlier this week.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Greg Auriemma," said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, in a statement released Thursday evening. "He was a good friend and a champion for the environment. Our hearts and prayers go out to his friends and family and to all of us who love him."

Auriemma was an experienced hiker who had hiked the White Mountains a number of times, his brother, Kenneth, told NJ101.5 on Monday. Kenneth Auriemma said his brother felt comfortable tackling the planned hike alone and did not take his cellphone. Gregory Auriemma, who was an attorney with a private practice in Brick, was supposed to attend a Sierra Club barbecue on July 5 in New Jersey and his significant other contacted family when he did not show up, Kenneth Auriemma said.

>> READ MORE: NJ Hiker Missing In New Hampshire Was Without Cellphone: Report

Tittel said in the statement on Auriemma's death that he was found in the Crawford Notch area of the White Mountain National Forest, where he had been hiking. Conservation officers with New Hampshire Fish and Game, assisted by the Upper Valley Wilderness Search and Rescue, New England K-9 Search and Rescue, Pemigewassett Valley Search and Rescue, the Appalachian Mountain Club, the US Forest Service, a New Hampshire State Police search team, Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue and New Hampshire State Forest Rangers, searched intensively over the weekend and into the early part of the week. On Tuesday they scaled back the search and by Thursday morning had called the search off, according to NH1.com.

“(Greg Auriemma) worked tirelessly for the club on so many issues, especially those around coastal areas," Tittel said. "Greg helped restart the Ocean County Group close to 20 years ago. As chair of the Ocean County group, Greg has worked tirelessly on ocean issues while building the group into one of the strongest in the state. He tackled many important issues from overdevelopment in Ocean County, to the Climate March in D.C. to protecting Barnegat Bay."

"Whether it’s trying to preserve land for open space, organizing beach clean-ups, or stopping a massive sprawl development, you could always find Greg at the meetings," Tittel said. "He was a big advocate for the oceans and marine issues as well as an avid hiker. Greg was one of the strongest voices in our club on climate change, sea level rise, and rebuilding after Sandy."

"He was integral in upgrading the Metedeconk River to a Category 1 waterway as well as protecting Trader’s Cove in Brick," Tittel said, adding that Auriemma was recognized by President Barack Obama as a ‘Champion of Change’ for his efforts.

“Greg’s legacy is that when you drive around Ocean County, you see preserved land, open spaces and parks. When you see pristine streams and a beautiful ocean, that’s part of his legacy too. Protecting the environment was truly what Greg was all about. Our thoughts go out to his family but also should take comfort in all that he has done to make our environment a better place,” Tittel said.

Photo via New Hampshire Fish and Game Department