A group who set out to find a missing Pleasantville man got answers Sunday, but it was not the happy ending they had hoped.
Tracy Faulkner II's body was found not long after the group entered the woods off Harbor Avenue in Mays Landing.
Faulkner, 33, was last seen Dec. 6. His unoccupied vehicle was found in the area of New York Avenue in Mays Landing, police previously said.
Fifty-three days later, he was found in the woods not far from his vehicle.
The scene was immediately secured by Hamilton Township police, who were on location.
All volunteers were escorted out of the woods and additional law enforcement personnel from the township department, along with the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and Southern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office responded for further investigation, police said.
"Thank you to everyone who came out for the search today," family wrote on the Find Tracy Faulkner Facebook page hours after the body was found. "We were able to find an individual who is no longer with us. This person is pending identification.
"As we wait with hopeful hearts, we do so with the utmost gratitude for your support," the post continued. "Keep us in your prayers and we will update you as we learn more, which may take some time. Thanks again for all of your support."
Police confirmed Monday that it was him.
The incident remains under investigation, pending the autopsy findings and toxicology results, police said.
Police used a variety of resources in the area around where Faulkner was located, according to information provided to BreakingAC. That included multiple K-9’s, cadaver dogs, aviation, thermal imagery, dive teams, searches on foot and drones.
"Unfortunately, this did not result in locating him before (Sunday)," police said. "We will continue to work closely with Mr. Faulkner’s family, as the investigation continues."
