Remains found earlier this month have been confirmed to be those of Adam Sharp, the former Edison man and retired U.S. Marine who had gone missing.
Adam Sharp's remains were recently found by police in Perth Amboy. (Facebook)HIGHLAND PARK -- Every morning Trudy Sharp had been waking up wondering where her missing son might be.
But police have confirmed that the remains found on a riverbank in Perth Amboy earlier this month were those of Sharp's son, Adam Sharp -- the retired U.S. Marine formerly of Edison, who went missing on New Year's Eve.
She was crying, her voice was trembling. "I can't believe he's gone," she said.
Adam Sharp's sister, Katie Sharp, posted on her Facebook page recently saying, "I regret to inform everyone that my brother Adam has passed away. I love you so much Adam, and I wish I could tell you again what you mean to me."
Trudy Sharp said she was notified late last week by Highland Park police Det. Sean McGraw, who she said had been working tirelessly to find her son. McGraw visited Trudy Sharp personally to tell her the horrific news.
Authorities had been trying to identify the remains found earlier this month near Riverview Drive along the Raritan River in Perth Amboy. Police said the remains had undergone severe decomposition.
Officials on Monday had only limited information, but Highland Park police Capt. Scott Golden said no foul play is suspected.
Sadness and disappointment could be heard in Golden's voice.
Sharp had last been seen in late December, but then vanished without his wallet or clothes or supplies, according to his family in a previous report.
In January, police investigated a possible sighting of Adam Sharp in Woodbridge. Investigators found a store owner who reported seeing a man matching Sharp's description, according to a previous report.
Adam Sharp had returned from military duty roughly a year ago. He had served in Afghanistan.
Trudy Sharp said after he had gone missing that Adam suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, which she thought may have contributed to his disappearance.
She said on Monday that she and her family were in the process of making funeral arrangements, and briefly spoke about what an incredible son, and man, Adam was.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.