N.J. Teen Who Lost Her Home And Parents Found Dead In Woods

Danyelle Minerva lost everything. Now, she’s lost her life.

She was only a toddler when their father, Daniel Minerva, died. About a year and a half ago, she lost her mother, too, her brother told nj.com.

Her brother, Dan, also told nj.com that their house was too much for them to handle so they moved out. He went to live with an aunt in West Berlin, while Danyelle went to live with a boyfriend in Williamstown.

That was until Monday, when the 19-year-old woman was found dead in Alloway Township.

The New Jersey State Police is seeking the public’s assistance in an investigation into the death of Danyelle , 19, of Atco, whose body was found in a wooded area off of Woodstown-Alloway Road.

At 1:48 p.m., tree service workers discovered the body while working in the area. State Police Major Crimes Unit, Crime Scene Investigation Office, Troop “A” Criminal Investigation Office, and troopers from Woodstown Station responded to the scene to investigate.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Jersey State Police Major Crime Unit, Detective Sergeant Glen Garrels at 609-882-2000 ext. 3355 or Woodstown Station at 856-769-0775. Anonymous tips are welcome.

A Facebook page asking for help in finding Danyelle had been set up, but on Friday, the page was informing people about funeral services.

Services will be on Monday 6 to 8 p.m. Donations can be sent to Wooster Funeral Home in Atco. That’s also where the services will be.

“Thank you everyone for your help and support at this time,” Dan Minerva wrote.

Dan told nj.com that the last time heard from his sister, everything seemed fine. That conversation was on Oct. 14, according to the report. Then they stopped hearing from her.

“I really didn’t know how to react,” Dan, who is 20, told nj.com. “It was hard to believe. I couldn’t believe it.”

Dan told the publication that the family began to search for her, thinking she might be in Atlantic City, and went to the Jersey Shore several times to search.

“We were down there 3 or 4 in the morning all upset,” Dan told nj.com. “We left disappointed.”