ST.Teen Went Missing for Nearly a Month Before Police Confirmed ‘Heartbreaking’ Development

In a Thursday, Feb. 19, news release from the city of Plainfield and the Plainfield Police Department, officials announced that Connor Oldfield was located and described his death as a “heartbreaking loss felt across our entire community.”

Plainfield Police Director James T. Abney said in a statement that Oldfield’s body was found in the Green Brook area near the Roosevelt Avenue bridge.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Connor during this difficult time,” Abney said.

The city and the police department issued another news release on Saturday, Feb. 21, stating that the medical examiner ruled that Oldfield died of an accidental drowning and there were no signs of foul play.

According to a community alert, Oldfield, a resident of Plainfield, was reported missing on Jan. 24.

His last known location was on Watson Avenue in Plainfield, and he was last seen wearing yellow, black and gray camouflage fleece pajamas along with a gray zip-up jacket.

“He is verbal and able to communicate; however, he may be nervous or anxious if approached. Please use calm, clear, and reassuring communication,” the alert stated.

According to Saturday’s news release by the city and police, video footage that authorities obtained during the investigation showed Oldfield entering and walking along the Green Brook, a waterway between Plainfield and North Plainfield.

A video received five days before the recovery of Oldfield’s body showed an individual believed to be the missing teen “becoming fully submerged in the brook at approximately 2:17 p.m. on Jan. 24.”

Then on Feb. 19, authorities broke through the ice in the brook and recovered Oldfield’s body.

Following the medical examiner’s findings, the case is now considered close, said authorities.

In Thursday’s announcement about Oldfield’s death, Abney said that police “left no stone unturned in our search” for the missing man.

He thanked other agencies that had assisted his department, including the New Jersey State Police.

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“This is not the outcome any of us wanted, and it is a loss that will be felt throughout Plainfield,” Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp said in a statement Thursday.

“We grieve with Connor Oldfield’s family and loved ones, and we ask the entire community to hold them close in compassion, prayer, and quiet support,“ Mapp continued. “In moments like this, our city must be at its best, surrounding a grieving family with dignity, respect, and love, and giving them the space they need to mourn.”