Crime & Safety

Toms River Girl Still Missing, Search Continues

Ashley Combs still has not been found, five days after she failed to return home from school.

Ashley Combs remains missing, and the investigation is continuing, officials said.
Ashley Combs remains missing, and the investigation is continuing, officials said. (Via Jef Henniger/Nieratko family)

TOMS RIVER, NJ — It's been five days since Ashley Combs failed to return home from school after classes at Toms River High School North last Friday.

And while the teenager's disappearance continues to lengthen, her family's determination to find her has not waned.

"No updates," Jef Henninger, the attorney hired by Ashley's family, said Wednesday. "We cannot discuss the investigation but there are some rumors out there. Anyone with information should contact the police."

Find out what's happening in Toms Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Toms River police have said they believe Ashley, 17, left home purposely, and that the Toms River North senior has refused to give her location to people she has spoken with in the days since she disappeared.

Rob Nieratko, who along with his wife adopted and raised Ashley from a young age, first posted about her disappearance Friday evening.

Find out what's happening in Toms Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"If this were your child, you would be doing everything within your power to have her safely brought home," he wrote in an impassioned post on Tuesday where he responded to comments about the ultimatum the family issued Monday for her return. "You don't have to agree with my tactics in achieving this goal, but I believe that I am doing everything the right way."

Henniger said Ashley left home without much clothing or money, and Rob Nieratko said she was not permitted to have a cell phone. Read more: Missing Toms River Girl's Family: We Just Want Her Home

If you have any information on her whereabouts, call Toms River police at 732-349-0150.


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