ROXBURY TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – Authorities are sharing an update on the search for Lara Emanuele, 46, who was reported missing on June 7 after she had not returned home from work.
Operations have been centered on the Berkshire Valley State Wildlife Management Area and surrounding areas, as Emanuele’s vehicle was found on June 8 in the nearby parking lot of a hotel on Howard Boulevard. The search includes officers, multiple K-9’s, trained civilians, and technical assistance, such as drones, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll.
The investigation so far has included review of video surveillance from multiple sources, review of digital communications, canvassing in several locations, interviews, and other standard procedures. Emanuele’s cell phone was found in her abandoned vehicle, Carroll said.
Authorities observed Emanuele exit her vehicle in the parking lot alone and depart of her own free will, Carroll said.
Lara Ann Hoffmann Emanuele is a teacher who received her MA in Special Education, ‘03, at Centenary University.
Emanuele’s disappearance is not considered suspicious, but there is concern for her wellbeing. As Emanuele has not been located, the investigation remains open, Carroll said.
This remains a missing persons investigation and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is the lead law enforcement agency, and will notify the public if the status of the investigation changes, Carroll said.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office ordinarily does not share details regarding ongoing investigations. While the investigation has not yet concluded, these details are being shared in the interest of transparency as there has been a great deal of inquiry related to this case, Carroll said.
“We understand that this is a difficult time for Ms. Emanuele’s family, and the Roxbury and Alexander Hamilton School communities. Law enforcement has been working diligently to locate Ms. Emanuele, carried out by many law enforcement professionals and trained civilians, so far over the course of a grueling 21 days, in challenging conditions. The officers and volunteers who work tirelessly to find Ms. Emanuele deserve our gratitude,” Carroll said.
“We know Ms. Emanuele was a special person, evident in the outpouring of support and offers to help this case has generated. Regrettably, her disappearance has also spawned rumors and speculation on social media, spread by people falsely claiming to represent law enforcement,” Carroll said.
“Out of respect and consideration for Emanuele’s family, there will be no further comment on the details of this investigation,” Carroll said.
Emanuele is a white female, 5 feet 6 inches tall with red hair, weighing approximately 125 pounds, Carroll said.
Anyone with information regarding Emanuele’s whereabouts or this investigation is encouraged to make contact with the Roxbury Police Department at 973-448-2100 or the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Missing Persons Unit On-Call Detective through the Morris County Communications Center at 973-285-2900.
The ongoing, coordinated search effort includes officers, K-9’s, and technical assistance from Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Missing Persons Unit, Roxbury Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit, New Jersey State Police K9 Unit, New Jersey Search and Rescue (comprised of law enforcement and trained civilians), Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office K9, Bergen County Sheriff’s Office K9, Pennsylvania Search and Rescue, and the Conservation Police. Operations are weather-permitting, Carroll said.
