A Week Later, Search Continues for Missing Whiting Woman

Authorities continue their search for a 74-year-old Whiting woman a week after she was reported missing.

Crestwood Village I resident Joan Conetta has not been seen or heard from since Sunday, June 10. Township police and officers from the Ocean County Sheriff's Department and Prosecutor's Office have been searching for her since Monday, June 11.

"It's still a very active investigation," said Police Capt. Lisa Parker Monday afternoon.

Detective Chris Hemhauser has spent the past week following up on active leads, according to the captain.

"Detective Hemhauser is devoting all of his time to finding her," she said. "We're exhausting all means of investigative protocol. We're still concerned about her whereabouts."

Parker declined to comment on the specifics of the police search activity at this time.

Conetta was last believed to be wearing a grey jogging suit, according to Chief of Police Brian Klimakowski. 

Conetta often takes walks to the Crestwood Village Shopping Center, according to Klimakowski.

Conetta does not have access to an automobile and may be suffering from disorientation, said Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford in a statement issued last week. 

"Family and friends of the missing woman are quite concerned for her safety, since it is not usual that she would not be seen or hear from for this length of time," Ford said.

Conetta may be travelling on foot or received a ride from another person, authorities believe. The woman wears glasses, but only for reading, according to Ford. 

Conetta, who is Caucasian, is approximately 5 feet 1 inch tall, weighs 100 pounds, and has hazel eyes and dark grey hair, according to authorities.

Anyone who may have seen Conetta is asked to contact Hemhauser at 732-657-2009, ext. 4207, or Detective Brian Haggerty of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office at 732-929-2027.