UPDATE: Search for two missing hikers at Pyramid Mountain in Morris County ends with man rescued, woman found dead
MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — A search for two missing Pompton Plains residents at Pyramid Mountain in Montville Township ended Tuesday with a 77-year-old man found alive and an 87-year-old woman found dead, according to Morris County authorities.
John Higgins, 77, and Virginia Taetzch, 87, both of Pompton Plains, went for a hike at Pyramid Mountain at approximately 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Sheriff James Gannon and Montville Township Police Chief Andrew Caggiano.
The search began after the Morris County Sheriff’s Office located an unattended vehicle in the Pyramid Mountain parking lot at approximately 10:14 p.m. Monday. Authorities searched the surrounding area for the vehicle’s owner but were unable to locate anyone.
The search was suspended at 4 a.m. Tuesday because of weather conditions, and a missing person investigation determined Higgins and Taetzch had gone hiking at the park Sunday afternoon.
A more comprehensive search began at 9 a.m. Tuesday and involved more than 30 officers.
Authorities located Higgins alive at approximately 11:40 a.m. Officers were able to get him out of the park, and he was transported to Morristown Medical Center.
The search for Taetzch continued, and officers later located her. She was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Officials did not provide additional information about the circumstances or a cause of death.
“Our multi-agency Search and Rescue operation successfully saved one life, while sadly recovering a deceased individual. Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families during this difficult time, and we thank all agencies involved for their dedicated efforts,” Sheriff James Gannon said.
“This was a tremendous effort by the men and women of multiple Morris County Law Enforcement agencies. The coordination and determination of all of those officers were able to save Mr. Higgins’ life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Ms. Taetzch,” Caggiano said.
Officers and emergency personnel from the Montville Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Boonton, Boonton Township, Lincoln Park and Kinnelon police departments, Montville Fire Department, Parsippany-Troy Hills EMS and St. Clare’s MICU assisted in the search and rescue effort.
