Queens Hosts First Missing Persons Day

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the borough’s first-ever Missing Persons Day, held in partnership with the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) and U.S. Rep. Grace Meng. The event, which took place on October 24, offered critical support to families searching for loved ones who have been missing for 60 days or more.

The free program provided one-on-one guidance to affected families, allowing them to file new reports, update existing records, and submit DNA samples for inclusion in a national database. Sixteen individuals representing nine families were assisted, with five additional families scheduling remote interviews after hearing about the initiative.

District Attorney Katz emphasized her commitment to resolving these cases, stating, “My office’s Cold Case Unit is investigating approximately 47 unidentified homicide victims. While these cases may have grown cold, they are never forgotten — nor are the families still searching for answers. Updating records and collecting DNA from relatives of missing persons can be the key to identifying some of these victims, and that is why we never give up. I thank Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jason Graham and U.S. Rep. Grace Meng for partnering with us on this important effort to help bring answers and justice to those who deserve it most.”

Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jason Graham described the effort as “a combination of compassionate service and scientific innovation.” He added, “Missing Persons Day exemplifies the unwavering commitment of OCME to provide answers for families and alleviate uncertainty about what happened to their loved ones. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with D.A. Katz and Rep. Meng to reach the diverse communities of Queens in person with this effort.”

Congresswoman Grace Meng praised the collaboration, noting, “This Missing Persons Day helped ensure that families have the resources and support they need. I am proud to have secured $500,000 to help District Attorney Katz’s Cold Case Unit investigate and prosecute cold cases in our borough. Impacted families are entitled to closure and justice, no matter how long it may take.”

The District Attorney’s Cold Case Unit received that $500,000 federal grant in 2024, enabling advanced DNA testing and genealogical tracing of unidentified homicide victims. Since then, genealogy-based investigations have been launched in 21 cases involving unidentified human remains.

According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUS), nearly 400 individuals are currently listed as missing in New York City, including 73 cases from Queens County. Since its inception in 2014, New York City’s Missing Persons Day has served hundreds of families and contributed to dozens of identifications throughout the metropolitan area.

Any family member with a loved one missing for 60 days or more can seek assistance from the OCME by calling (212) 323-1201.