Crime & Safety

Toms River Man Missing; Family Pleads For Public's Help In Finding Him

Deane LaBranche last spoke to someone by phone on Christmas, his sister said. His car was found at Shelter Cove, she said.

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Deane LaBranche, 52, of Toms River, last spoke to someone by phone on Christmas; his car was found at Shelter Cove earlier in January, his family said.
Deane LaBranche, 52, of Toms River, last spoke to someone by phone on Christmas; his car was found at Shelter Cove earlier in January, his family said. (Brooke Spurlock)

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The family of a missing Toms River man is seeking the public's help in finding him.

Deane LaBranche, 52, has been missing since Jan. 4, his sister, Brooke Spurlock, wrote in a post on Facebook.

Spurlock said Toms River police contacted her after finding her brother's car abandoned at Shelter Cove. There were personal items in the car including his guitar, she said, adding that it was out of character for him to have left the items behind.

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She said the last time anyone had spoken with LaBranche, whose nickname is Dino, was a phone call on Christmas Day.

A missing persons report has been filed, Spurlock said.

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Anyone with information on LeBranche is asked to call Toms River Police Officer Austin Pelka at 732-349-0150.

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