Remains found in Egg Harbor Township have been identified as belonging to a woman who went missing from Northfield in 2023.
Idalia Mendez was 71 with dementia when she was last seen July 5, 2023.
She was from New Brunswick but had been living in Northfield.
Mendez was first reported as last seen at about 3:15 p.m. July 5, in the area of Maple and Spruce avenues.
But surveillance video from around Doughty and Delilah roads showed her walking in the area at about 6:20 p.m. July 5.
The location about three miles from where she was last seen in Northfield is the last sighting investigators had.
Then at about 3:11 p.m. Jan. 25, Egg Harbor Township police were called to the ACUA Environmental Park at 6700 Delilah Road following the report of skeletal remains discovered in a heavily wooded area of the park, Northfield police reported Monday.
The remains have been positively identified as belonging to Mendez.
The search in 2023 garnered much attention and included help from multiple agencies, including Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester counties' Land Search and Rescue, State Police, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, and K-9 Units from the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office, the Atlantic County K-9 Academy, Egg Harbor Township police and multiple volunteers.
A funeral is planned for Wednesday.
"Idalia brought light and love to all who knew her, and her absence has been deeply felt," her obituary read. "Though her journey ended tragically, her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends."
She is survived by her husband, Cecilio Mendez Sr., two children, three grandchildren and one great grandchild.
A visitation will be held at Adams-Perfect Funeral Home, 1650 New Road in Northfield from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, with a 6 p.m. service.
Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
