DEL HAVEN – Their hurt has not healed since Nov. 25, 1991. That was the day when 11-year-old Mark Himebaugh went missing. This year marks the 27th that no trace was ever found of the red-headed boy, although countless hours went into the search for him.
Himebaugh, who would be 38, was last seen about 4 p.m. walking toward the playground at Cape May County Park South on Bayshore Road. It was a place he liked to go, and it was a short distance from his house, where he lived with his family.
About that time, a marsh fire flared up in the meadow just south of the Himebaugh home. Some wonder if it drew his attention. Others believe they saw him in the playground with a girl about his age.
Middle Township Police Department expended many hours investigating leads for the missing boy. They were joined by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
To this day, those three law enforcement agencies continue to follow any lead that may bring closure to the case.
A massive search was undertaken of the Del Haven marshes, Delaware Bay beach, and nearby woods. That search, which included cadaver dogs and mystics, resulted in no clues.
The case was aired on national television, and Himebaugh’s photograph was placed on milk cartons and missing children fliers that were widely distributed.
Police also conducted a traffic stop in the area of the Del Haven playground a year after he went missing in the hope that someone might recall some bit of information that could have led to finding him.
A candlelight vigil was also held by family and friends at the playground.
Himebaugh’s mother, Maureen, and brother, Matthew, wrote a memorial tribute published here on the occasion of his 38th birthday, May 23, 2018.
It read:
Our Dear Mark, you’d be 38 today 27 years ago, at 11, you last went out to play I was 40 then, now 66 and retired. My life forever dedicated our search for you will never expire.
We know that someone bad took you away, Where to or why, they need to pay. You disappeared one winter day, So near the playground where you played.
T’was not your choice, But some strange fate, We miss you so, but we still wait. We wait for you, We’re staying strong We know you’d want us to hold on.
Eleven years was all we had, We cherish them, but we’re still sad. Our love for you will never cease, You’ve given us an inner peace.
An inner peace, a special strength That tells us you’re OK. We hope and pray you’re safe Out there, or – If chosen – in Heaven far away.
An answer – yes – we must have one, To end this pain our little one.
We Love and Miss You, Your Mom, Maureen and Your Brother, Matthew.
Middle Township police urge anyone with information about his disappearance to call 609-465-8700, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678, Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-463-2800 or the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.
Anonymous tips can also be sent via text at 888777, and put “tips mtpdtips” in the text field.
