Bertha S. Dyer, 68, reportedly last seen Tuesday
Bertha S. Dyer, 68 (Photo: Franklin PD)
Bertha S. Dyer, 68, of Franklin Township, was reportedly last seen Tuesday around 3 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Elementary School in Newark, where she is the principal, police announced Thursday. Dyer's sister reported her missing Wednesday after she didn't show up for several meetings and a family friend called out of concern.
"Since the story ran we have received several tips from the public," Franklin Township police Sgt. Philip Rizzo said Friday. "At this time, none of them have panned out."
Family members did not report that Dyer suffered from medical conditions which could cause an emergency, police said. Dyer also spoke to someone by phone from her home Tuesday, but the exact time of the call was unclear.
Newark school principal reported missing, police say
Franklin Township police were working with state and county authorities in the investigation, Rizzo said. There were no obvious signs of foul play, he added.
Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office was investigating and visited Dyer's school.
The case was an "active missing person investigation," according to Somerset County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Jack Bennett.
A Newark school district representative did not respond to a message Thursday afternoon. The first day of school for students is Tuesday.
Authorities said Dyer is 5-foot-4 inches tall and drives a white 2011 Toyota 4Runner with New Jersey license plate of U79GXM. Anyone with information was urged to call Franklin Township police at 732-873-2300 or Detective Trevor Wilson at 732-873-5533, extension 3161.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.