Human Remains Identified as Missing Burlington County Woman
- Remains of missing woman Denice Smith have been identified nearly three years after her disappearance
- Human remains were discovered in Woodland Township in April 2026
- The cause and manner of Smith's death have not been addressed
Woodland Township, N.J. — Nearly three years after a Burlington County woman walked away from her home and vanished, state police have confirmed that human remains found in the area are hers.
Denice Smith Reported Missing in 2023
Denice Smith was 51 years old when she was reported missing on October 9th, 2023, after leaving her residence in Woodland Township. Search and rescue teams combed the area in the days that followed and found no signs of her.
Over the years that followed, detectives from the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit and Troop C Criminal Investigation Office continued searching, following up on public tips, conducting additional searches, and pursuing new investigative leads.
Human Remains Found in Woodland Township
On April 12, 2026, a coordinated search by the Burlington County Search and Rescue Volunteer Team discovered human remains near Laurel Lane and Cedar Road in a remote section of Woodland Township.
42 Years Later, NJ State Police Still Seek Identity of Murder Victim
Forensic analysis by Dr. Anna Delaney of the NJSP Forensic Anthropology Unit was reviewed by the Burlington County Medical Examiner's Office in late August, formally confirming that the remains were Smith's.
The cause and manner of death were not addressed in the announcement.
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Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for WPUR Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com.
