Friends and family renew search for missing Rutgers student in New Jersey
Friends and family of Rutgers University student Mortimer Mekhai Wortman IV plan a community search in Jackson, New Jersey, on 21 November 2026, a year after he disappeared. The renewed effort comes amid criticism from his friend that local authorities have not adequately supported searches or investigated his disappearance.
Wortman, 22, was last seen on surveillance footage getting into Adam Zalouk’s car at Regional Day School on 21 November 2025. Zalouk, who had previously threatened Wortman with a knife and damaged his car, told a 911 operator that Wortman left after an argument and disappeared into nearby trees. In April 2026, Zalouk pleaded guilty to threatening Wortman and slashing his car, and was ordered to pay Wortman’s mother $2,783; no suspect in Wortman’s disappearance has been named, according to his friend.
In short
- Wortman disappeared aged 22 in November 2025.
- Friends and family plan an anniversary search.
- His friend has criticised the local response.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “New search launched after mysterious disappearance of promising college senior, 22, who was last seen getting into car with bully”.