Search For Missing North Jersey Teacher Drags On: What We Know

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — It's been more than a week since anyone has seen a Morris County teacher, and while new information is coming in, her whereabouts remain unknown.

According to the Roxbury Police Department, Lara Emanuele, 46, went missing on June 7. She teaches third grade at Alexander Hamilton Elementary School in Morristown.

What Happened

Emanuele's car was discovered on Thursday, June 8 in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn Express on Howard Boulevard in Mount Arlington, about 5 miles from her home, according to property records.

Authorities have been scouring the woods of Berkshire Valley State Wildlife Management Area, near the hotel where the abandoned car was discovered, in their ongoing search for the missing woman.

Berkshire Valley Wildlife Management Area is located in the vicinity of Lake Hopatcong, north of I-80 and west of NJ 15.

According to the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, there are no marked trails, but there is a network of unmaintained trails and woods roads throughout the area, as shown on the Trail Conference's Jersey Highlands Map 126.

The Unknowns

A source told News 12 New Jersey that Emanuele had a restraining order against her husband, but that it was eventually lifted, however, the police have not yet confirmed this.

Emanuele's husband has posted about her disappearance on his social media but has not made any public comments on the investigation.

According to property records, Emanuele's house has been on the market since Memorial Day weekend, but the listing was removed on June 10, three days after she was last seen.

Community Reaction

During the Monday night School Board meeting, Morris School District Superintendent of Schools Anne Mucci discussed Emanuele's disappearance, saying that the entire school district is praying for her safe return and that they will be providing resources to support any students who need them.

"We understand that this situation may have a profound impact on our students and staff. We encourage you to remind your children of the resources available to them, including our team of school counselors and social workers. Unfortunately, the district has no additional information at this time," Mucci said.

What The Community Can Do

While authorities continue to search the 50,000-square-foot woodlands, they ask residents to help them by spreading the word about the missing woman online.

"The agencies involved in the search greatly appreciate the public’s willingness to help, and understand their concerns. However, given the nature of the operations, untrained volunteers should not enter the search area," Meghan Knab, a spokeswoman for the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said.

Authorities have asked community members to avoid further searches in Berkshire Valley, where their presence could confuse K-9 dogs sent to track Emanuele's movements.

Police have also asked hunters who have installed trail cameras in Berkshire Valley to review all footage captured since June 7 and contact Det. Tom Gaboda directly at tgaboda@roxburypd.com if they see anyone on their recordings.

The Roxbury Police Department was not able to confirm if any footage had been submitted as of Thursday, June 15.