Missing Marine's Body Found, Group Says

BROWNS MILLS, NJ -- The body of a U.S. Marine who had been missing since last Sunday was located on Saturday, according to people involved in search.

The body of Tristan Clinger was found Saturday, said Nancy Schaefer of Missing In America, a group that dedicates its efforts to finding missing persons. Schaefer said Burlington County authorities found Clinger’s body Saturday but she did not release any details about where or how he was found.

Schaefer said Clinger’s body was found during a search conducted Saturday afternoon in Browns Mills, Pemberton Township, that included the Burlington County K-9 Search and Rescue and more than 40 other searchers.

Schaefer said she was told by family members that Clinger’s wife, Rachel, was notified Saturday evening that Tristan Clinger’s body had been found.

Dozens of searchers had been scheduled to show up Sunday morning to again search for Clinger, Schaefer said, and groups including hers were trying to get the word out.

“I say with heavy heart Tristan was recovered deceased,” Schaefer posted on the Missing in America Facebook page. “Please give his family some space . Thank you Burlington County K-9 Search and Rescue for all the help in dedication in searching for Tristan and all the help from the volunteers who showed up for (Saturday’s) search.”

Clinger, 28, who was orginally from Kentucky, had last been seen Sunday, Dec. 20, when he left his home on the base at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, his wife told NBC10.

(Searchers gather in Browns Mills, Pemberton Township, Saturday afternoon to search for Tristan Clinger. Photos courtesy Nancy Schaefer, Missing In America)