Rutgers community holds vigil for missing student Mortimer “Mekhai” Wortman
Members of the Rutgers community joined a vigil held for missing student Mortimer Wortman | Photo by Brea Yumiguano
A vigil was held by the friends and family of missing Rutgers student Mortimer “Mekhai” Wortman gathered on Sunday afternoon on Morell Street. Wortman, a senior studying landscape architecture at Rutgers-New Brunswick, was reported missing in November in Jackson Township, NJ.
The vigil was held in collaboration with Canterbury House at Rutgers, to raise awareness and funds for search efforts by Wortman’s loved ones. The organizers of the vigil commemorated their love and care for him, as well as his contributions to the community.
Speeches were given by Wortman’s family members — his brother Ivan, aunt Kimberly, and cousins Gavin & Anysiah — and his best friend Nicholas Moccio.
“My little brother is a very genuine, kind, motivationally driven person. It’s very hard to even think of someone harming him,” said his older brother, Ivan.
His family members reiterated that Wortman has a loving family and support system around him, as they recounted memories from their shared lives.
Moccio said that the vigil “[was] not the time for mourning. It’s a reminder of all of our love for Morty and it’s a chance for us to tell the world that we are still searching, that we will not give up. Whether it’s a hundred days, or a thousand, or a hundred thousand, we will keep searching until we find Mortimer Wortman and bring him home.”
Following the remarks, attendees gathered to light candles in Wortman’s honor. Over fifty people participated as the family led a prayer, and then distributed green ribbons and missing persons flyers to continue raising awareness. The organizers thanked the friends and community members that showed up for their support.
Wortman is 5 feet and 10 inches and 185 pounds. He is an African-American/Hispanic male with brown eyes and brown hair, aged 22 at his disappearance. He was last seen at the Regional Day School in Jackson Township, adjacent to Collier Mills Wildlife Management Area.
There is now a $10,000 reward for any information leading to his whereabouts, which can be reported to the 24-hour tip line at CUE Center for Missing Persons. More information about Wortman’s disappearance can be found at bringmortyhome.com.
Story by Keya Raval.