On a cold day in February of 2002, an elderly woman named Margarita Medina, aged 81, vanished from Erial, New Jersey. She was living with her daughter in Gloucester Township at the time of her disappearance. Margarita, who was of Puerto Rican descent, primarily spoke Spanish and some English. On February 9th, she was seen walking in the afternoon, first along Erial Road and later near a convenience store at the intersection of Jarvis and Williamstown Roads. At the time she went missing, Margarita was wearing a blue denim dress, a black hat, and black flat shoes with laces. She also wore a distinctive tiger eye ring, a watch, and a silver bracelet. A notable physical characteristic was an oval-shaped birthmark on her right leg, located between her ankle and knee.
Margarita was living with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, which would have made her particularly vulnerable. Despite these conditions, she was reportedly in good physical health when she disappeared.
Her family was deeply concerned for her welfare, as she had no other relatives living in the immediate area. The circumstances of her disappearance were alarming, as she was last seen simply walking in her neighborhood and then was never heard from again. The Gloucester Township Police Department opened an investigation into her case, and her information was circulated in the hopes that someone might have seen her or had information about her whereabouts.
Over the years, the search for Margarita Medina has continued, though few details about the investigation have been made public. Law enforcement has considered the possibility that she may have attempted to return to Puerto Rico, her native home. Her case has been shared by various missing persons organizations in the hope of generating new leads. Despite the passage of time, her case remains an open and unresolved matter. The lack of any significant developments has left her family and community with unanswered questions about what happened to her on that February day. The overview of this case is one of a prolonged and sorrowful mystery, highlighting the deep pain and uncertainty that families of the missing endure.Last Seen: Feb 9, 2002
