Search for Missing Long Hill Woman Underway

A massive search was underway Thursday for a woman who never made it home from her parents' Basking Ridge home a night earlier.

Carrie Ruffner, 34, was last seen leaving her parents' house around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp said Ruffner was driving to her own home on Myersville Road in Long Hill Township and was expected to return, but never did.

About 50 people participated in a search for Ruffner Thursday near the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge as helicopters searched from above, according to NJ.com. As the search continues for Ruffner, her two children are safe and with relatives.

Ruffner is 5 feet 7 inches tall, about 130 pounds, with blond hair and hazel eyes. Knapp said she has an athletic build and broad shoulders and was last seen wearing a black jacket and black pants.

A woman who answered the phone at the number listed for Ruffner's parents' house said she had spoken to police regarding Ruffner and declined further comment.

According to a search of Ruffner and obituary on the Valley Funeral Home website, the woman, formerly Carrie Vreeland, was married to Eduardo Ruffner, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former Raritan Community College student, who died after a 10-year battle with cancer in January.

Anyone with information on Ruffner's whereabouts is asked to contact the Long Hill Township Police Department at 908-647-1800.