BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP: Sunday memorial service set for Sarah Townsend

By Amber Cox
   BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP — Memorial services for 18-year-old Sarah Townsend will be held Sunday night at the Florence United Methodist Church where she was baptized and had attended preschool.
   Mourners will gather from 5 to 6 p.m. The 6 p.m. service will be followed by a reception at the 209 Broad St. church in Florence.
   Sarah’s body was found in Sherman’s Pond on Friday afternoon by the New Jersey State Police Canine Unit.
   The Florence teenager went missing May 9 and was last seen by her parents at 7 a.m. when she was leaving for school. Her car later was discovered, still running with the driver’s door open, purse and cell phone inside, by her boyfriend, Matt Welsh, at 10 a.m. at Green Acres Park near Sherman’s Pond.
   ”It’s unreal,” Sarah’s father, Roy Townsend said. “I believe I was blessed with her for 18 years. She’s my angel.”
   Following Sarah’s disappearance, a large search ensued May 9 after Sarah’s car was discovered at the park. Full-day searches May 9 and 10 turned up no evidence. The search of the area was called off Thursday, May 12, but police decided to try another search without volunteers and the canine unit to hopefully get some evidence.
   During the initial search, more than 100 people, along with tracking dogs, were helping. A helicopter from the New Jersey State Police also was used to do an overhead search of the large area.
   Police have confirmed they were worried Sarah might have harmed herself and that a note was found in her vehicle, but would not comment on its contents.
   Mr. Townsend said so many people have done good things for his family, and Sarah brought the community together.
   A Facebook page, “Find Sarah Townsend! Invite Everyone!” was created the night of her disappearance and has more than 14,000 members from all over the United States and other countries.
   A number of memorial pages also were set up, and the member count keeps growing. A page also was created to “Support Matt Welsh” after a number of speculations rose after he discovered Sarah’s car.
   ”Matt is devastated,” Mr. Townsend said. “We can’t imagine how this is for him.”
   An autopsy determined Sarah’s death was caused by drowning. There were no signs of trauma to her body and no indications foul play contributed to her death, according to Burlington County Medical Examiner Ian Hood. The final autopsy determination is pending the results of toxicology tests, which will take several weeks.
   Sarah was a senior at Allentown High School where her father works.
   Superintendent Richard Fitzpatrick said the tragedy is doubly difficult because it involves both a student and employee.
   ”Our hearts ache for him (Roy Townsend),” Dr. Fitzpatrick said. “Everyone knows Roy and has a close affection for him. We knew Sarah as a student here and also as Roy’s daughter. He was so proud of her and her accomplishments.”
   Dr. Fitzpatrick said Sarah was a successful student and the mood at the high school “very somber.”
   ”There’s obviously a deep concern on the part of students and staff for Sarah’s family,” he said.
   Dr. Fitzpatrick said counseling is available for any student who feels the need to talk. The high school administration was set to hold a parent information session Wednesday to share “information about the school’s response to the events of last week and strategies to assist all of us in helping out children cope with tragic loss.”
   A vigil that originally was planned for Monday, May 16, was postponed at the request of Sarah’s parents so they would be able to participate. The date has not yet been rescheduled.
   A memorial fund has been set up in Sarah’s honor, and those wishing to donate can do so by visiting www.facebook.com/sarahtownsendmemorialfund and following the PayPal account link. Anyone also can visit any Roma Bank and mention the memorial fund to send a donation through the bank.