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Strangers Help Find And Reunite Woman With Wedding Rings She Lost On The Beach

August 2, 2025

Today's good news story comes from Wildwood Crest, New Jersey.

When Laura Emanuel realized her two cherished rings were missing after a day at the beach, her heart sank. She thought they were lost forever—buried beneath the sand with no hope of return.

But thanks to the kindness of strangers, what began as a moment of panic turned into an incredible story of generosity and hope.

Jeffrey Laag searches the beach | Credit: 6abc Philadelphia

After searching in vain and asking friends for help, Laura came across Jeffrey Laag, a Cape May fire lieutenant who also runs a volunteer “Lost Ring & Jewelry Recovery Service.”

“I was contacted by a woman named Laura and she had told me both of her rings may be on the beach in Wildwood Crest,” Laag said.

He headed out to search on a windy evening but didn’t have any luck the first time.

Not long after, a family playing in the sand made an unexpected discovery. A woman and her niece had found one of the rings and, thanks to a few Facebook posts, brought it to The Grand at Diamond Beach.

Facebook / 6abc Philadelphia

With hope renewed, Laag returned to the beach to try again—this time for Laura’s wedding band. It wasn’t where the first had been found, but he eventually uncovered it closer to the water.

Laag retrieved the first ring from The Grand and then drove both pieces to Laura’s home in Mantua Township.

“I didn’t believe it,” she said. “Just the emotion and the happy tears that it has been recovered by this stranger.”