Police seek public’s help in finding 18-year-old Toms River woman

Police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating an 18-year-old Toms River woman who was reported missing on Aug. 12. 

Kayla Tufaro voluntarily left home at approximately 4 p.m. on Aug. 11, telling her mother that she was “leaving and wanted to do her own thing” and not to look for her, said Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River Police Department, in a release. 

Tufaro’s mother reported her missing during the early afternoon the following day, according to Stocco.

“She was immediately entered into the National Crime Information Center, NCIC, which is a nationwide database used by law enforcement. Surrounding law enforcement agencies were also notified of Kayla’s reported status as ‘missing,” Stocco said.

Tufaro is described as 5-feet tall and 150 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes, and a nose piercing. 

Stocco said that police continue to be in contact with Tufaro’s friends and family members.

Tufaro has reportedly been using online dating sites and her family is “understandably concerned as to who she may have met,” he added. 

“There have been reported sightings of her in good health. However, we have not been able to confirm them as being valid,” the spokesman said.

Police are taking the matter seriously, despite comments online implying otherwise, Stocco stressed. 

“Although Kayla is 18, and legally free to be on her own if she chooses, we make no judgments about her age or the circumstances of her departure in the investigation of this case,” he said. “We will leave no stone unturned in our attempts to verify her safety and are using every investigative outlet available. This is an active case involving multiple resources and will remain open until we determine that she is safe.”

Anyone with information about Tufaro’s whereabouts is asked to contact lead Det. Jennifer Grob at (732) 349-0150, extension 1319.