Human Remains Identified as Missing College Student
Human remains discovered along a bike path in New Jersey have been confirmed to belong to a college student who vanished in 2015.
John Paul Fernandez, a 22-year-old senior at Seton Hall University, was last seen on December 13, 2015, near his home in Madison, close to Natco Lake and Route 36 in Hazlet.
On November 4, 2024, local police and investigators from the Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau looked into a report of human remains found in the Willow Street area of Middletown, a residential street adjacent to the Henry Hudson Bike Trail.
After nearly a year of waiting, John Paul’s mother, Ninia Fernandez, announced on Facebook that DNA testing confirmed the remains were her son’s. She mentioned receiving notification about the confirmation on October 14.
“Words can’t capture the pain and endless tears we’ve shed for him every day since he disappeared. While this is a heartbreaking conclusion, it also brings us peace, as we can finally bring our son home,” she expressed.
She recalled John Paul as kind, generous, and full of life, someone who could easily make others laugh with his unique stories and infectious energy. “He was dependable and never hesitated to be himself,” she said.
It’s reported that John Paul left behind a six-page suicide note at home, expressing his intention to “end his life somewhere high in the woods.” The cause of death remains undetermined.
Since his disappearance, Ninia has honored her son every year on his birthday, sharing her grief and asking for any information that might provide closure about his whereabouts.
In a heartfelt eulogy on what would have been his 23rd birthday, she reminisced about their last conversation, expressing hope for his return. “I will wait patiently. When you come home, just give me a hug,” she wrote.
Ninia also detailed the emotional toll of not knowing what had happened to John Paul, sharing her worries about his well-being. The family is organizing a private service for him, inviting anyone who wishes to pay tribute to his memory.
