Human Remains Found Amid Search For Missing NJ Woman: Wayne Police

WAYNE, NJ — Wayne Police discovered human remains in a densely-wooded area while searching for a missing woman in the township last week, said officials.

Authorities have not positively identified the remains as missing woman Maria Ferrigno, 63.

Chief Jack McNiff said that police officers found human remains on Wednesday, July 19 while searching for Ferrigno in a heavily-wooded area along the west side of Farmingdale Road.

Ferrigno's daughter, Danielle Kornitzer, said she had been missing since July 14.

McNiff added that Wayne Police Officer Joseph Albanese had begun searching for Ferrigno after finding her car abandoned on Monday, July 17. Police did not list her address, but said her car had been found on Farmingdale Road.

A report from NJ Advance Media said she is from Pompton Lakes.

Albanese contacted a family member and the information led him "to be concerned" about her welfare, said McNiff. Wayne Police met with her family and entered her as a high risk missing person, he said.

The dense, wooded brush are along the banks of the Pompton River made the search more difficult, as did recent heavy rainfall, said McNiff. Rain and the opening of the Pompton Lake Dam to relieve upstream flooding "created swamp-like conditions," he added.

"An autopsy will be performed to positively identify the person and determine the cause of death," McNiff said in a press release Friday. "There are no indications of foul play at this time."

Chief McNiff added that the investigation into Ferrigno's disappearance will "steadfastly continue until resolved."

"The secondary investigation into the recovery of human remains will continue as an ongoing and parallel investigation to the missing person incident and until it can be confirmed that these events are related," he said.

Officials have not released any updates as of Monday afternoon.

This story was updated to reflect Ferrigno's place of residence.