NORTHFIELD — The Northfield Police Department announced Feb. 3 that skeletal remains discovered in a neighboring town are those of a missing city resident.
A news release from the department states Idalia Mendez, 71, walked away from her daughter’s Northfield home July 5, 2023.
“At the time of her disappearance, a large-scale search effort was initiated spanning several weeks but yielded no results.
According to authorities, the Egg Harbor Township Police Department responded to the Atlantic County Utilities Authority Environmental Park shortly after 3 p.m. Jan. 25 following a report of skeletal remains being discovered in a heavily wooded area of the park at 6700 Delilah Road.
“The Northfield Police Department would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Mendez family and asks that the community keep them in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” the release states.
According to her obituary, Mendez is survived by husband Cecilio Mendez Sr., children Rosalind Rodriguez (Anthony) and Maria Leiva (Cris), grandchildren Cheyenne Boyer, Sheehan Boyer and Autumn Leiva and great-grandchild Shiloh Boyer.
Visitation was scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 5 at Adams-Perfect Funeral Home, 1650 New Road in Northfield.