Our community's hopes for a safe return have ended in heartbreak. Lizandro Guizar Sartiaguin, a 27-year-old farmworker from Hammonton who vanished in late February, has been found deceased in Delaware, bringing a tragic conclusion to a search that spanned more than two months.
Delaware State Police discovered Guizar Sartiaguin's body at Fox Point State Park on April 24 after a park visitor reported finding human remains. Troopers arrived at the scene around 6 pm to investigate. The state's forensic science division has taken possession of the remains, though a cause of death has not yet been determined.
The Day He Disappeared
Guizar Sartiaguin was last seen around 1 pm on Friday, February 27, when he left his home on Laurel Avenue in Hammonton. Home surveillance footage shared on social media captured him walking on Bridge Avenue that same day—the last confirmed sighting of the young man.
What made his disappearance particularly concerning was what he left behind. His phone, identification, and bank cards were all found in his room. He didn't own a car, and his family later learned he had been looking for a ride the day he vanished.
Guizar Sartiaguin was in America legally with permanent resident status. His family even checked with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement database during the search to ensure he hadn't been detained as part of ongoing immigration enforcement actions.
A Dedicated Worker Despite Challenges
Those who knew Lizandro remember a hardworking man who persevered despite significant obstacles. He had suffered a serious head injury several years ago that left him with lingering cognitive issues. Yet he continued working in the blueberry fields of Hammonton, determined to support his family.
His work took him beyond South Jersey—he also traveled to Maine during that state's blueberry season, which runs from mid-June through early August. His dedication to providing for his loved ones defined his character.
Community Rallies to Bring Him Home
Now, Guizar Sartiaguin's family faces the difficult task of bringing him home to Mexico, where relatives can honor his memory and say their final goodbyes. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help cover the costs of repatriating his remains.
The fundraiser had raised over $3,700 as of Tuesday afternoon, reflecting the compassion of those touched by this tragedy. For a family already grieving an unimaginable loss, the financial burden of international funeral arrangements adds another layer of hardship.
Local police conducted extensive searches around the Hammonton area beginning in early March, but the investigation ultimately led across state lines. The discovery in Delaware, more than 50 miles from where he was last seen, raises questions that may never be fully answered.
As our community processes this loss, we're reminded of the farmworkers who labor in our fields, often far from their own families and support systems. Lizandro Guizar Sartiaguin's story is a sobering reminder of the vulnerability faced by those who work to put food on our tables, and the profound impact when one of our own goes missing.
