Search For Missing Moorestown Woman Enters Third Day

MOORESTOWN, NJ — The search for a missing elderly woman who suffers from dementia is set to enter its third day, and the Moorestown Police Department is taking advantage of every available resource in its efforts to find 84-year-old Agnella Zapotochny.

On Thursday night, first responders from Moorestown and the immediate area were joined by New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management Wide Area Search Team in its efforts. They searched the areas of Devon Road, Red Leaf Road, Moore Street and Wilson Avenue until about 10 p.m., and were set to begin the search again Friday morning.

“We’re obviously very concerned because there has been no sign of her, and we’re doubly concerned because she suffers from dementia,” Moorestown Police Chief Lee Lieber said Thursday night. “So we’ve stepped up our efforts. We have three fire companies and the County Emergency Response Team helping us. … We have a lot of CERT volunteers in the area, so we’re taking advantage of that as much as we can.”

Zapotochny went missing from her home on the unit block of Cottage Avenue at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. She is 5'5," 150 pounds. She was last seen wearing a navy blue shirt with "cape may" light and blue pants with a white stripe. Two images of her are attached to this post.

There was a severe storm that passed through the area Wednesday night that resulted in downed wires and downed trees in the township. The weather was much better on Thursday, but the forecast for Friday calls for more storms.

The National Weather Service out of Mount Holly is calling for possible thunderstorms and rain throughout the day Friday and into Saturday.

Following Wednesday night’s bad weather, police advised residents in Moorestown and the surrounding areas to check any outbuildings, garages, etc on their property in case she took refuge from the bad weather.

Police have also mentioned that Zapotochny often talks about going home, in reference to her previous home in the 3400 block of Ormes Street in Philadelphia, PA.

Lieber said the police have been in touch with NJ Transit, as well as police in Bucks County and the surrounding areas to keep an eye out for her.

He said there were two possible sightings, on Wednesday afternoon in the Westbrook Drive area and on Wednesday night in the area of Route 73 and Fellowship Road. Law enforcement concentrated their efforts in those areas, but were unable to find her.

“We hoped someone would’ve run into her by now,” Lieber said. “It’s troubling, but we’re throwing everything we have at it.”

Lieber said the benefit of having the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management Wide Area Search Team helping is that it has plenty of experience with these situations.

“They’ll look at areas they think are worth taking a second look at, or even areas they think might be worth a first look,” Lieber said.

Concerned residents in the area are also keeping an eye out. Any residents with information or questions or anyone who sees her should immediately call the Moorestown Police Department at 856-234-8300.

The attached images were provided by Moorestown Police and a neighbor of Agnella Zapotochny