In the pre-dawn hours of a Saturday in October 2018, 53-year-old Samuel J. DeLarso left his residence on 2nd Street in Somers Point, New Jersey, with the intention of going crabbing, a frequent pastime for the avid fisherman. Family members saw him that morning before he set off for what was expected to be a routine outing. He was reportedly heading to Ocean City to gather bait for a fishing trip planned with his family for later that afternoon.
This was the last time he was seen by his loved ones. Concern grew when he did not return as expected.
Later that same day, Samuel's green Ford Expedition was discovered parked on West Newcastle Road in Ocean City, near the Ocean City-Longport Bridge. The discovery of his vehicle without any sign of Samuel prompted his family to report him missing to the Ocean City Police Department. Inside the truck, authorities found his cell phone and fishing rods. However, his crabbing bucket was not in the vehicle, suggesting he may have made it to the water. At the time of his disappearance, he was believed to be wearing blue jeans, a button-down shirt, and waders.
In the days that followed, an extensive search of the waters in the area was launched. The United States Coast Guard, New Jersey State Police Marine Unit, Cape May County Prosecutor's Office, and the Ocean City Police Department all took part in the search efforts. The Coast Guard conducted a search for 12 hours on the Sunday after he was reported missing but found no trace of him. Despite the exhaustive efforts, the search was eventually suspended. The case remains an active investigation, a painful and unresolved chapter for a family who had planned to spend an afternoon fishing with a beloved father. The disappearance of Samuel DeLarso, a man simply heading out for a morning of crabbing, has left a void in his community and a lingering mystery for law enforcement.Last Seen: Oct 20, 2018
