Family, Friends Continue Search for Del. Man

FENWICK ISLAND, Del. — Family and friends of a Delaware man, who has ties to Cape May County, are continuing to search for him after he disappeared from a house party during the recent blizzard that hit this region last week.
On the evening of Feb. 9 as a snowstorm churned along the coast, Greg Forte, a 29-year-old teacher from Selbyville, Del., was at a get together at a friend’s home on Fenwick Island, a community similar to the barrier island towns in this county. Those in attendance said Forte went outside around 11 p.m. and never returned.
Forte’s car was found the next morning in front of the condominium where he was last seen. According to published reports, the radio was on and his coat, cell phone, socks and shoes were inside the vehicle. His ball cap was found on a nearby walkway.
Because of ongoing blizzard conditions, a search was not conducted on Feb. 10. On the following day however, over 100 emergency responders and volunteers combed the snow covered beach and surrounding area for any sign of Forte. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful.
Authorities are baffled by the disappearance, but Forte’s family and friends are still searching.
Jake Backover, of Somers Point, notified the Herald of the disappearance.
In 2002, he and Forte graduated together from Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md. Following graduation, the two friends lived together in Ocean City, N.J. Forte stayed there for about four months, Backover said.
During his brief residency in this county, Forte taught as a substitute in Margate schools and practiced soccer with the Ocean City Barons, Backover said.
Backover said that anybody who ever met Forte instantly liked him.
“He is such a laid back, great guy,” Backover told the Herald. “He is the most popular, most personable, most sincere person I have ever met, and I pray for his safe return.”
Forte’s loved ones have started a Facebook fan page “Let’s continue the search for Greg!” which has nearly 4,000 members.
Backover said Forte’s family has offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to his whereabouts. Backover said he wanted to reach out into Cape May County to extend the search area and see if anyone here might have seen anything.
Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Delaware State Police at (302) 856-5850.
Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com