Body of Missing New Jersey Teenager Sarah Townsend Found in Pond

Undated photo of Sarah Townsend. (AP)

Police have found the body of missing New Jersey teenager Sarah Townsend, who disappeared almost a week ago, prosecutors said Friday.

Authorities found Townsend's body at approximately 1:15 p.m. Friday in Green Acres III Park in Burlingtown Township. Burlington County Prosecutor Robert Bernardi said canine tracking teams led police back to the pond they'd searched earlier in the week.

An autopsy is expected to determine a cause of death.

"Because the investigation into Sarah's death is continuing, no further information will be released at this time," the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement.

Burlington Police Director Walter Corter on Wednesday said police were told the 18-year-old may have wanted to harm herself.

However, Townsend's parents told The Courier-Post of Cherry Hill their daughter was happy when she left their home for Allentown High School on Monday. They said she was getting ready to attend two proms and was working on coordinating her hairdo and dress for each.

Townsend's boyfriend found her car hours later near the pond in Green Acres Park -- a place he said they often spent time. The car was left running and her purse and cellphone were inside.

Friends and other teens who didn't know her had combed the area where Townsend was later found and held a candlelight vigil for her Wednesday.

A woman who answered the phone at her family's home Friday afternoon tearfully said she couldn't talk.

Joel Bewley, a spokesman for the Burlington County prosecutor's office, said the autopsy would be conducted Friday. But he said it was not certain when details would be released publicly.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report