Mountain Lakes Teen Still Missing After 6 Days

MOUNTAIN LAKES, NJ — A Mountain Lakes teen last seen on Oct. 30 remains missing, his mother said. Officials believe that Kolding is a runaway, and there is nothing suspicious about his disappearance.

Thomas Kolding, 15, was last seen at home in Mountain Lakes at the end of October, where he lives with his parents, and had a "strong interest" in traveling to California. Mother Aleksandra Kolding said there had been no progress in the search for him as of 3 a.m. on Nov. 5.

A Morris County Prosecutor's spokesperson confirmed that there have been no sightings of Kolding since Friday afternoon. Mountain Lakes Police conducted a search in town on Sunday for Kolding, but said the search was not in response to a sighting.

"He is a wonderful, resourceful, and far-too-adventurous young man who we are worried about beyond words," Aleksandra Kolding wrote in a public plea for help.

"Please keep spreading the word and tell all to look for a very LARGE BLACK BACKPACK he has on him - I think that's the telltale sign for those that don't recognize him," she added.

The police search on Sunday was not in response to any specific leads or information, "we are merely exhausting all investigative options," Mountain Lakes police said.

Officials believe Kolding left home on Oct. 30 and rode his bike to the Denville train station, where he took the train to Newark Broad Street, then got on a second train from Newark to New York Penn Station. They're not sure where he went next, but Kolding had a "strong interest" in traveling to California.

Kolding is a white male with brown hair and brown eyes. He is five feet three inches tall, and weights 120 pounds, officials said. He was last seen wearing a camouflage jacket, gray winter skull cap and carrying a large black backpack.

Anyone with information about where Kolding went is asked to call Mt. Lakes Police at (973) 334-1413.

Images via Morris County Prosecutor's Office