Remains Found In Woods ID'd As South Jersey Woman Missing Since 2023

WOODLAND TOWNSHIP, NJ — Human remains found in April have been identified as belonging to a woman with dementia who went missing nearly three years ago, New Jersey State Police said on Tuesday.

Denice Smith, who was 51, of Woodland Township, was reported missing on Oct. 9, 2023, after she walked away from her home.

After conducting search and rescue operations, fielding tips from the public, and following new leads over the last few years, human remains were found on April 12 during a search in the area of Laurel Lane and Cedar Lane.

Forensic work done by Dr. Anna Delaney with the New Jersey State Police Forensic Anthropology Unit was confirmed by the Burlington County Medical Examiner's Office on or around August 24.

Smith's cause of death is yet to be released.

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