Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP159641)
On a day that began with the promise of recreation, a tragic event unfolded in the waters of the Atlantic. Twenty-year-old Neil Verma was last seen on the afternoon of Monday, May 18, 2026, off the 10th Street Beach in Ocean City, New Jersey. He had traveled to the shore for a day trip with friends. Verma, a student at Hofstra University, was boogie boarding with a friend approximately 200 yards from the shoreline when the situation turned dire.
He was wearing blue and white swim trunks at the time of his disappearance.
The enjoyable outing took a devastating turn when a wave struck, knocking Verma from his boogie board. His friend, who was rescued from the water, recounted the harrowing moments to authorities, stating that Verma did not resurface after being hit by the wave. This prompted an immediate and extensive search and rescue operation involving multiple agencies. The U.S. Coast Guard, New Jersey State Police, and local first responders from the Ocean City Police and Fire Departments, as well as the Ocean City Beach Patrol, all took part in the effort. The search utilized a variety of resources, including boats, helicopters, and drones, as they scoured the coastline and ocean waters. For several days, the public was asked to avoid the area to allow the search to proceed unimpeded.
As the search stretched on for four days without any sign of the missing swimmer, the mission transitioned from a rescue to a recovery operation. The hope of finding Neil Verma alive began to fade. Tragically, on June 19, 2026, the body of an unidentified man was discovered in the water near 72nd Street in Sea Isle City. Authorities later confirmed the remains were those of Neil Verma. Following the positive identification, his family was notified and requested privacy during their time of immense grief. The case, which began as a desperate search for a missing young man, ultimately concluded with a heartbreaking discovery, bringing a somber end to the uncertainty but leaving a void for those who knew him.Last Seen: May 18, 2026
