MORRIS COUNTY — A heartfelt memorial mass will be held on Tuesday, December 19, to bid farewell to Roxbury resident Lara Emanuele, a dedicated third-grade teacher in the Morristown school district. Emanuele, who went missing in early June, was tragically found deceased in a wooded area off Howard Boulevard in November.
At the age of 46, Lara Emanuele had been an educator for 25 years, having previously worked in the Hackettstown School District and the Morris School District before joining Alexander Hamilton Elementary School in Morristown. The memorial mass in her honor will take place at Assumption Church and Community Center, 91 Maple Avenue in Morristown.
The event will begin with a gathering for friends and family from 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., followed by the memorial mass.
In lieu of flowers, the Emanuele family requests that memorial donations be directed to New Jersey Search and Rescue, Inc. at 608 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430.
Lara Emanuele was first reported missing on June 7 when she did not return home from work. Morris School District Superintendent of Schools, Anne Mucci, expressed deep sorrow, stating, “Mrs. Emanuele was a cherished member of our school family, known for her dedication, kindness, and passion for education. Her impact on the lives of her students and colleagues was immeasurable, and her absence will be deeply felt by all who knew her.”
Emanuele’s remains were discovered on November 19, thanks to the efforts of a K9 tracking team that had been tirelessly searching for her. Although the cause and manner of her death remained undetermined, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll stated that there was no evidence to suggest foul play. He further explained, “I realize her disappearance has also generated rumors on social media that foul play was involved. While a thorough investigation continues into her death, at this time, evidence points to Emanuele having taken her own life. This was a determination that could not have been made before the recovery of her body.”
