The Missing Denice Smith

The Missing
Denice Smith
Burlington County New Jersey
Woodland Township

UPDATE!! Sadly, the remains of Denice Smith were located in a wooded area on April 12, 2026 during a search in the area of Laurel Lane and Cedar Lane.

May she rest in peace!!

https://patch.com/new-jersey/moorestown/human-remains-identified-missing-woodland-township-woman-authorities?utm_source=article-mostrecent&utm_medium=rss&utm_term=crime+%26+safety&utm_campaign=recirc&utm_content=social&fbclid=IwZnRzaAUf5HZwZG9mAWZkaWQWUO6ts5RsrRFN9I3z_xS7ZWFqHHotdmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR6SQjkjcOigQWTkbn-eaJoE4d8zcwMwqCuzBlJ5hDfcwlMnKVGNLxMt0KI3HA_aem_f4D2yEVIXwq6qMhp4MFPqQ

Denice Smith was last seen leaving her home on Route 563 in the Chatsworth/Woodland area at about 1:15 am on Monday, October 9th, 2023. It is noted that Denice has a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury,) has aggressive seizures and behaves in ways similar to a person with dementia. Denice is considered harmless, she has low cognitive and verbal skills, and is probably disoriented, confused and scared. According to her husband, her medications were left at home and her chances of seizures are very high without them. She may say her name is Denice Johnson, which is her maiden name. She often says the phrase “I want to go home” when talking to anyone. She has trouble recognizing her family members.
Searches have taken place in the New Jersey Pinelands from Chatsworth to Pemberton, Shamong and Hammonton to Manahawkin without any luck of locating Denice. Local residents and hunters were asked to check their home security videos and trail cameras for any footage of Denice. Porches, garages, sheds, and cars were searched, with no further clues.
Denice is a white female, 5’ 1”- 5′ 6” in height and weighing 125 lbs with Brown/Gray hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, gray sweatpants and white sneakers as pictured above.
One article states that during the search, the K9 Unit lost her scent near a road in the Pine Barrens, where she is from.
Denice’s daughter Amoreena Marlin is afraid something may have happened to her mother. She is quoted saying, “She suffered a brain injury and has the capacity of a five year old.” She also theorizes that her mother could have been picked up by vehicle and was transported elsewhere.
Amoreena says Denice has disappeared before but was always found near a road. This time is different. She states the NJP did not issue a Silver Alert for her mom, but they say she is considered “endangered.” The family along with police have checked homeless shelters and are working on expanding the search.
A friend of Denice named Jen Sendbo said Denice was wearing an Apple air tag at the time but it only sends a ping within 33 feet of detection.
The search for Denice is ongoing.

If you have any further information on Denice’s whereabouts, please contact the NJSP Troop C Red Lion Station at 609-859-2282, or the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at 609-882-2000 ext 2554.

Sources:

https://www-lps.state.nj.us/NJSP_Amber/MissingPersonDetail.jsp?mp_id=166427&type=mp

https://patch.com/new-jersey/moorestown/endangered-burlington-county-woman-dementia-goes-missing

https://wfpg.com/pinelands-search-party-for-woman-with-traumatic-brain-injury/