Remains pulled from river ID’d as missing Marine veteran, police say

For months after his disappearance, those who knew Adam Sharp — the 23-year-old reported missing on New Year’s Eve — believed he was trying to avoid being found. Late last week, police confirmed what the family feared - the retired Marine has died.

Authorities have identified the human remains pulled from the Raritan River in Perth Amboy on April 10 as Adam Sharp. His sister, Katie Sharp, posted about the veteran's death.

"I regret to inform everyone that my brother Adam has passed away. I love you so much Adam and I wish I could tell you again what you mean to me," Sharp wrote in an emotional post late last week.

Highland Park Police, who had been investigating Adam Sharp's disappearance, offered condolences to the Sharp family in a social media post of their own Monday afternoon.

"The Highland Park Police Department would like to send our sincerest condolences to the entire Sharp family. We would also like to thank all of the individuals who called or emailed any tips they might have had regarding Mr. Adam Sharp," police said on Facebook.

Sharp went missing in late December. In the months that followed, police followed up on tips from people who reported spotting him in various locations including a Quick Check on New Brunswick Avenue in Woodbridge. None of the leads panned out and authorities, family and friends continued the search.

Adam's mother, Trudy Sharp, told NJ Advance Media Monday that her son retired from the military about a year ago, after serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan. She said he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Sharp told NJ Advance Media that Highland Park Police Detective Sean McGraw visited her personally to deliver the news about her son's remains being found.

Sharp also said in the article that the family is currently in the process of making funeral arrangements for her son.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.