UPDATED: Arrest Made in Connection with Schmucker Disappearance

COURT HOUSE — Cape May County Prosecutor Robert Taylor, in conjunction with Middle Township Police Chief Christopher Leusner, announced the arrest of Paul Olexa, 24, of Villas, for the charge of manslaughter in the Jan. 5, 2011 disappearance of Samuel Schmucker.
According to a press release Olexa was arrested Fri., April 13. He was brought before Superior Court Judge Raymond Batten where he pleaded guilty to an accusation of manslaughter.
Schmucker, 25, was last seen Jan. 5 at approximately 11 p.m. He was reported to have been a passenger in a car with his roommate. An argument ensued with Schmucker allegedly getting out of the vehicle and walking toward Route 47 on Bayshore Road.
“He literally got into a disagreement, got out of the car and was never seen again,” his twin sister Laura Wiatrowski told the Herald in a Jan. 2012 interview.
“He’s a son and a brother,” said Wiatrowski. Schmucker is also the father of a 5-year-old daughter.
“We want to know where he is.” said his sister.
At the time of his disappearance large-scale searches were done utilizing helicopters, boats and personnel on the ground with ATVs and K9 units throughout Middle and Lower Townships.
On March 28, 2012 investigators from the Prosecutor’s Office, Middle Township police and State Police conducted a search on a property in the 300 block of Route 47 in Green Creek after information was developed during the investigation into Schmucker’s disappearance.
The investigation remains ongoing. According to police Olexa is cooperating with their investigation.
Olexa has been charged with reckless manslaughter and is being held without bail in the Cape May County Correctional Center.