Authorities have no comment on the case. This is a developing story.
By Matt Skoufalos | May 18, 2024
Family of a Camden City woman who’s been missing for 14 years say that an independent search and rescue team has recovered her vehicle and her remains from the Cooper River in Pennsauken.
Bernadine Waters Gunner was last seen in Camden City July 12, 2010, according to the New Jersey State Police missing persons database. She was 52 years old.
At the time, Camden City Police described Gunner as having a history of depression, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. She was known to drive a blue, four-door, 2006 Hyundai Elantra with New Jersey plates VNJ-32T.
On Thursday, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office (CCPO) reported that three vehicles were pulled from the Cooper River in Pennsauken, one of which contained human remains. Authorities said the identity of the person in the vehicle must be confirmed by DNA testing, and have declined to comment on the case further.
However, family of the late Waters Gunner have shared on social media that they believe her vehicle was one pulled from the river, and they credit Doug Bishop of United Search Corps with having helped retrieve it.
Bishop is a cold case advocate whose civilian search-and-recovery team uses public information, towing equipment, and other technologies to help families of missing and murdered persons get closure on their losses.
When asked to comment on the case, CCPO declined to confirm any of the details presented, citing the ongoing investigation and pending DNA results. Requests for comment from the victim’s family likewise have not yet been answered.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact CCPO Det. Ryan Durham (856-225-5127), Pennsauken Det. Ryan Hurley (609-922-9023) or CAMDEN.TIPS.
This remains a developing story; stick with NJ PEN for updates.
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