'A Great Loss': Family Mourns Middlesex Woman Found Dead In A Borough Park

MIDDLESEX, NJ — A Middlesex Borough woman who had been reported missing was found dead Saturday in a park, Middlesex Borough police said.

Jennifer Panek, 38, was reported missing at 3:22 p.m. Friday, Middlesex Borough police said. Family members said she had been last seen walking up the block away from the home she shared with her husband and two children. She had not taken identification or her phone, family members said.

Authorities searched for Panek but did not find her on Friday. On Saturday at 2:23 p.m., police said, "a citizen discovered suspicious items in Haverstick Park and called 911." Police did not say what the suspicious items were.

Panek was found unresponsive when police arrived and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

An autopsy to determine the cause of her death was set to be performed by the Middlesex County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.

Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Detective Paul Cerreto of the Middlesex Police Department at 732-356-1900, ext. 366, or Detective Ryan Kirsh of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3711.

Panek had been struggling with postpartum depression, family members said on the Facebook group Search for Jen, created to support efforts to search and on a GoFundMe campaign created by Panek's sister-in-law to help with the funeral expenses. Panek had been receiving outpatient care for the postpartum depression, her family said.

"After the birth of my niece in August 2024, Jennifer has suffered tremendously with postpartum anxiety and depression. This is a medical condition that does not get spoken about enough," Angelique Panek Martinez wrote. "Unfortunately, it’s also a disease that has left her family now grieving."

Martinez called her sister-in-law's death "a great loss" to Panek's husband, Justin, and their children, "as well as an extended amount of family and dear friends who are left brokenhearted."

Those who wish to donate to the GoFundMe can do so here.