MONTVILLE, N.J. – A search for two elderly hikers missing at Pyramid Mountain ended Tuesday with a 77-year-old man found alive and an 87-year-old woman found dead, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
John Higgins, 77, and Virginia Taetzch, 87, both of Pompton Plains, went hiking at Pyramid Mountain at approximately 1 p.m. Sunday. Authorities began searching after the Morris County Sheriff’s Office discovered an unattended vehicle in the park’s parking lot around 10:14 p.m. Monday.
Crews searched the surrounding area but initially found neither hiker. The overnight search was suspended at 4 a.m. Tuesday because of weather conditions before a larger search-and-rescue operation began several hours later.
More Than 30 Officers Search Pyramid Mountain
The search resumed at 9 a.m. Tuesday with more than 30 officers combing the Pyramid Mountain area.
About two hours and 40 minutes later, rescuers found Higgins alive. Officers got him out of the park, and he was transported to Morristown Medical Center.
- John Higgins, 77, was found alive at approximately 11:40 a.m. Tuesday.
- Virginia Taetzch, 87, was later located and pronounced dead at the scene.
- More than 30 officers participated in the search after weather halted overnight efforts.
The search continued for Taetzch after Higgins was rescued. Officers later found the 87-year-old woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
“This was a tremendous effort by the men and women of multiple Morris County Law Enforcement agencies,” Montville Police Chief Andrew Caggiano said. “The coordination and determination of all of those officers were able to save Mr. Higgins’ life.”
Who were the two hikers missing at Pyramid Mountain?
Authorities identified them as John Higgins, 77, and Virginia Taetzch, 87, both residents of Pompton Plains. Investigators determined they had gone hiking Sunday afternoon.
Unattended Vehicle Led Authorities to Missing Hikers
The case began with the discovery of a vehicle rather than a report of hikers in distress.
The Morris County Sheriff’s Office found the unattended vehicle in the Pyramid Mountain parking lot late Monday night. Officers and additional agencies searched nearby before weather forced them to suspend the effort early Tuesday.
A missing-person investigation subsequently determined that Higgins and Taetzch had gone to Pyramid Mountain for a hike Sunday afternoon.
Caggiano offered condolences to Taetzch’s family following the search.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Ms. Taetzch,” he said.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Sheriff’s Office and Montville Township Police Department were among the agencies involved.
Where was John Higgins taken after his rescue?
Higgins was removed from Pyramid Mountain and transported to Morristown Medical Center after rescuers found him alive at approximately 11:40 a.m.
Police, Firefighters and EMS Joined Search
The operation brought together police and emergency personnel from across Morris County.
Officers from Boonton, Boonton Township, Lincoln Park and Kinnelon assisted alongside Montville police, the sheriff’s office and prosecutor’s office. Montville Fire Department, Parsippany-Troy Hills EMS and St. Clare’s MICU also participated.
Shore News Network has previously reported on investigations involving the same Morris County agencies in Montville, including the discovery of a man’s body in the Passaic River near Route 46 last year.
What happened to Virginia Taetzch?
Search crews located Taetzch after Higgins was rescued. Authorities said she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The search ended with one hiker rescued and the other recovered after more than 30 officers spent hours searching the Pyramid Mountain area.
Sources: Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, missing-person and search-and-rescue update; Montville Township Police Department, search response; Shore News Network, previous Montville coverage
