Our community is mourning the loss of Lizandro Guizar Sartiaguin, a 27-year-old Hammonton man whose disappearance in February ended in tragedy when his body was discovered at a Delaware state park last month.
Delaware State Police found Sartiaguin's remains at Fox Point State Park after a park visitor reported discovering a decaying body. Troopers arrived at the scene around 6 p.m. on April 24 to investigate. The state's forensic science division has taken possession of the remains, though a cause of death has not yet been determined.
Sartiaguin had been missing for more than two months before the discovery. He was last seen leaving his residence on Laurel Avenue in Hammonton on the afternoon of February 27, wearing a gray jacket, blue jeans and brown boots. In the weeks following his disappearance, Hammonton police made several public appeals for information about his whereabouts, noting that he had not been in contact with family or friends and was believed to be without any personal belongings.
According to reports, Sartiaguin was a migrant worker at Hammonton's blueberry farms who had obtained a green card and was working to support his family back in Mexico. His story reflects the dedication of so many agricultural workers in our region who contribute to our local economy while maintaining strong ties to their families abroad.
In the wake of this tragedy, community members have rallied to help Sartiaguin's family. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to cover the costs of transporting his body back to Mexico. As of Friday afternoon, the fundraiser had raised approximately $1,400 toward that goal.
The investigation into Sartiaguin's death remains ongoing as authorities work to determine what led to this heartbreaking outcome. For a family already separated by distance, the loss is immeasurable, and our thoughts are with all who knew and loved him during this difficult time.
