UPDATE: The search for missing former Kingsway coach Steve Ianotti has tragically concluded with his discovery deceased. Authorities in Logan Township confirmed the devastating news just hours ago, following an extensive search operation that spanned multiple days and involved helicopters and surveillance technology.
Logan Township Police Chief Joseph V. Flatley announced the heart-wrenching update on the department’s Facebook page. “It is with a heavy heart that we must advise that Mr. Ianotti has been located, and tragically, he is deceased,” Flatley wrote, expressing the profound sorrow felt by the community. The police will not provide further comments out of respect for Ianotti’s family.
The search began when Ianotti, a beloved 72-year-old former head football coach at Kingsway Regional High School, was reported missing after last being seen leaving his home on Friday, December 23, 2022, at 12:45 p.m. Surveillance footage captured his black 1997 Jeep Wrangler with the license plate RUNT 61 just moments later, at 12:53 p.m., at the intersection of Center Square Road and Heron Drive.
Despite the extensive search, which included the utilization of Automated License Plate Reader data, there was no indication of foul play prior to the discovery of his vehicle. Ianotti’s family reported that his cell phone was found at home, a common practice for him, and his bank account had seen no transactions since December 25, 2022.
Authorities clarified that Ianotti’s situation did not meet the criteria for a Silver Alert, as the guidelines specify that operating a vehicle with cognitive impairment does not automatically qualify for such alerts, according to state police regulations.
Gloucester County Commissioner Christopher Konawel Jr. commented on the community’s response, stating, “The level of concern for Ianotti when word got out about him being missing shows how beloved he was here and how much people admired him.”
As the community grieves this tragic loss, the focus now shifts to supporting Ianotti’s family during this heartbreaking time. This story serves as a stark reminder of the impact one individual can have on a community, and the outpouring of support demonstrates just how deeply Ianotti was cherished.
For more updates as this story develops, stay tuned.
