Eastford/Chaplin/Hampton, CT — Law enforcement officials are asking the public, including hunters and anglers, to avoid Natchaug State Forest as they investigate a missing person case within the forest.
According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Environmental Conservation Police (ENCON), K9 teams and search-and-rescue (SAR) personnel from multiple agencies are searching for a missing woman from Mansfield. 61-year-old Anne Marie Pappalardo was reported missing on October 26 and was last seen wearing a black jacket, black vest, black leggings, and brown boots.
While the search remains ongoing, DEEP ENCON officers explained that increased foot traffic within the forest — even by those with good intentions — poses a significant risk of interfering with K9 scent tracks. Officials said that anyone entering the forest during the investigation will be ordered to leave by law enforcement.
Anyone with information on Anne Marie Pappalardo’s whereabouts is asked to contact Connecticut State Police Troop C – Tolland at (860) 896-3200.
This is a developing story. Check back with Quiet Corner Alerts for updates as more information becomes available.