Missing Persons Cases on Long Island

Developing StoryLast updated MAY 24
SUMMARY

Authorities are searching for 15-year-olds Joel Villatoro from Hempstead and Ava Geddes from Lakeview, both reported missing on May 22, 2026, from Long Island, New York. As of May 24, 2026, both teenagers remain missing, and public assistance is being sought. Joel was last seen leaving his residence at 5:30 a.m., and Ava was last seen leaving her residence at 6:45 p.m. This follows the case of 15-year-old Thomas Medlin, who was found safe on March 15, 2026, after being reported missing since January 9, 2026, with police confirming he was last seen on the Manhattan Bridge.

Timeline

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May 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Authorities are searching for 15-year-olds Joel Villatoro from Hempstead and Ava Geddes from Lakeview, both reported missing on May 22, 2026.

    Authorities are searching for 15-year-olds Joel Villatoro from Hempstead and Ava Geddes from Lakeview, both reported missing on May 22, 2026. Joel was last seen leaving his residence at 5:30 a.m., and Ava was last seen leaving her residence at 6:45 p.m. Public assistance is being sought for both cases.

March 2026 — 2 developments

  1. Fifteen-year-old Thomas Medlin, who had been missing since January 9, 2026, has been found safe.

    Fifteen-year-old Thomas Medlin, who had been missing since January 9, 2026, has been found safe. Police had been searching for him after he was last seen on surveillance footage at Grand Central Station and later on the Manhattan Bridge. Investigations into his online activity did not indicate criminal activity related to his disappearance.

  2. The body of 15-year-old Thomas Medlin, missing since January 9, 2026, was recovered off Red Hook, Brooklyn on March 7, 2026, and officially identified on March 12, 2026.

    The body of 15-year-old Thomas Medlin, missing since January 9, 2026, was recovered off Red Hook, Brooklyn on March 7, 2026, and officially identified on March 12, 2026. Police stated there were no immediate signs of foul play. Medlin was last seen on the Manhattan Bridge pedestrian walkway.

January 2026 — 13 developments

  3. Fifteen-year-old Thomas Medlin, who has been missing since January 9th, was last seen on CCTV footage at Grand Central Station at 5:30 p.

    Fifteen-year-old Thomas Medlin, who has been missing since January 9th, was last seen on CCTV footage at Grand Central Station at 5:30 p.m. His mother, Eva Yan, stated that this behavior is out of character for the teen. His cell phone was later found in lower Manhattan.

  4. Investigations determined that Thomas Medlin's cell phone's last activity was recorded at 7:09 PM on January 9, shortly after he was last seen on the Manhattan Bridge.

    Investigations determined that Thomas Medlin's cell phone's last activity was recorded at 7:09 PM on January 9, shortly after he was last seen on the Manhattan Bridge.

  8. A new report indicates a later sighting of Thomas Medlin in Brooklyn, providing an updated geographical lead in the search for the missing teen.

    A new report indicates a later sighting of Thomas Medlin in Brooklyn, providing an updated geographical lead in the search for the missing teen. Police also released a photo of Medlin.

  9. Roblox has issued a statement expressing concern after a missing 15-year-old boy from Long Island re…

    Roblox has issued a statement expressing concern after a missing 15-year-old boy from Long Island reportedly traveled to New York City to meet someone he connected with on the online gaming platform.

  10. Posts on Reddit continued to spread awareness about Thomas's disappearance, with users suggesting cr…

    Posts on Reddit continued to spread awareness about Thomas's disappearance, with users suggesting cross-posting to r/brooklyn and r/nyc due to his last known sighting at Grand Central Station and potential travel to Brooklyn.

  11. A classmate of Thomas posted on Reddit, stating that Thomas was trying to meet up with a friend on Roblox and sought help in finding his Roblox username to assist the police.

    A classmate of Thomas posted on Reddit, stating that Thomas was trying to meet up with a friend on Roblox and sought help in finding his Roblox username to assist the police.

  12. Suffolk County Police issued an alert for Thomas Medlin, describing him as white, 5 feet 4 inches ta…

    Suffolk County Police issued an alert for Thomas Medlin, describing him as white, 5 feet 4 inches tall, and 130 pounds, last seen wearing a black jacket with red stripes, dark sweatpants with white stripes, a black backpack, and glasses. They asked anyone with information to contact Fourth Squad Detectives or call 911.

  13. Thomas Medlin, 15, was last seen leaving the Stony Brook School campus around 3:30 p.

    Thomas Medlin, 15, was last seen leaving the Stony Brook School campus around 3:30 p.m. and running towards the Stony Brook train station. He was later seen at Grand Central Station in Manhattan two hours later.