Body of missing S. Jersey football player found

The body of a former Millville High School football star who had been missing more than two weeks was recovered this week from a Cumberland County lake, state police said Friday.

Khalil Wallace, 19, was last seen climbing into a dark-colored van with a Pennsylvania license plate in Woodbine, Cape May County, after buying a bag of chips at a store. Wallace was identified through fingerprints, authorities said.

His death has been ruled a homicide.

Published reports said Wallace's cellphone was found in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, and the charred minivan also was found in Philadelphia. State Police wouldn't confirm either detail on Friday.

Wallace's body was recovered at 3 p.m. Thursday from a lake near Dragston Road in Downe Township. Police declined to release details about the body's condition or possible cause of death.

Wallace, who lived in Woodbine, had been missing since Sept. 20. His family had reported him missing two days later to the Woodbine station of the state police, a Facebook page, "Missing!!! Khalil Wallace," was created to help find him.

He was a father of a toddler, according to published reports and postings on the Facebook page.

Wallace was awaiting trial on drug-distribution charges, the Press of Atlantic City reported, citing police. State Police had recently arrested Wallace in Woodbine. He had been released Sept. 2 from Cape May County Jail after posting $50,000 bail, the Press reported.

But Wallace's family said he was on the run, the Press reported.

The 2010 Millville High graduate played wide receiver at Rowan University in his freshman year, earning an Offensive Rookie of the Week honor in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. He was not enrolled in school this semester, according to the school.

"A joy to coach. An infectious personality," said Rowan head football coach Jay Accorsi, who recruited Wallace. "He worked really hard on the football field and in the classroom."

Accorsi said he lost touch with Wallace in February. Wallace told Accorsi then that he was hoping to move off campus to save money, Accorsi said.

Wallace wanted to work in law enforcement or maybe become a teacher and a coach, Accorsi recalled.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.