Still No Sign Of Missing Mahwah Dad, Police Continue To Investigate

MAHWAH, NJ — Nearly three days have passed since Hector Zamorano was reported missing, and, despite the best efforts of law enforcement, police have still been unable to find the Mahwah resident, according to authorities.

Police have conducted an extensive, multi-agency search over the past couple of days in an attempt to find the 41-year-old, whose wife reported Sunday evening that she had last seen him leave the house at approximately 9 a.m. that morning, police Chief Stephen Jaffe said.

Zamorano, who parents a 9-year-old with his wife Maria Luceromena, had not returned within 12 hours nor had he communicated with her, when she first approached police. He had not had his phone with him when he left the home that morning, she reported. He had also made no reference to where he was going, and had no close friends or family in the area, she said.

However, she told officers, Zamorano would often hike at Mahwah's Ramapo Valley County Reservation and Winter's Park, setting off an intensive search in the two parks late Sunday with negative results. Still, as of Monday, he had not returned home, nor had there been any definitive information or reported sightings since he had been missing.

No definitive account had yet even placed him in one of the two parks, as the only information provided was that he had often hiked there. Still, following that information as a lead, police searched the parks — using a bloodhound and drone team — into the evening hours Monday, again with negative results.

"Due to the darkness and potential risk to officers, the search was discontinued until the next day," Jaffe said. He said that officers also checked for payment activity on Zamorano's credit card — which, his wife claimed, he had with him — again, with negative results.

Yet another day dawned Tuesday, and there were still no signs of Zamorano.

Police redoubled their efforts, employing a host of resources, including dogs, airboats, and even a chopper, from multiple state and local law enforcement agencies. And still, the search yielded negative results.

As of Wednesday, Zamorano's whereabouts remain unknown, and the missing persons investigation is still open. Jaffe assured that police are continuing to investigate.

Zamorano was last seen wearing a light green hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants, and dark green Timberland boots. He is approximately 5-foot-6, with brown eyes, medium-length dark hair and facial hair.

If anyone has any information, please contact the Mahwah Police Department at 201-529-1000.