A woman visiting Crisfield for a trawler owners’ gathering went missing from Somers Cove Marina, sparking a multi-agency search. Sadly, the search did not yield good news.
Crisfield Police say Theresa Vandenberg was last seen walking to her boat slip Monday, Sept. 15, but never arrived. As police searched for Vandenberg, they put out a description: 5’8″, 195lb, wearing a white fleece with a Solomon’s Island logo and a blue dress (as pictured in security footage provided by Somers Cove Marina, above). She was at the marina for the weekend with her husband as part of the Marine Trawler Owner Association’s (MTOA) national gathering.
Somers Cove is hosting the weeklong event, which brought over 50 vessels and 20 campers or motel customers to the city. The Vandenbergs were keeping their boat in a slip at Somers Cove. Police say Vandenberg had left the marina pavilion and was last seen headed to her boat on E pier.
Crisfield Mayor Darlene Taylor said in a statement on social media, “This is a very difficult time. Our hearts and prayers go out to Tom Vandenberg as his wife of 47 years, Theresa, continues to be missing.” Sadly, only a few hours later, Theresa’s body was recovered. The City of Crisfield said, “Regretfully, not the outcome we would have wanted, but Mrs. Theresa Vandenberg has been found….our condolences to her husband Tom and their families.”
Somers Cove Marina, the MTOA, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police, sheriff’s department, and several fire and law enforcement agencies from the region all helped in the search, including dive teams and a Maryland State Police helicopter crew. The effort went well into Monday evening and picked up again early Tuesday morning. It was just after 3 p.m. that the City of Crisfield announced Vandenberg’s body had been found. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police say it was on land, but not on marina property.
The cause of her death is under investigation, and an autopsy will be performed at the Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore.
