Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Police Search for Missing NYU Law School Grad Last Seen in Harlem

 The Harlem resident and NYU graduate has not been seen since April 27.
Landon Thomas
View Full Caption

HARLEM — Police are searching for an NYU law school graduate who has been missing for a week, joining friends and relatives who have been scouring the streets and posting fliers, they said.

Landon Thomas, 25, was last seen leaving his apartment on 215 West 145th St. about 5:30 p.m. April 27, friends said.

He and his roommate were preparing to move out of their Harlem apartment that evening, but Thomas left the apartment without his drivers license and never came home, according to his roommate Roman Zanishka, 25.

“The plan was, I get back from work and as soon as I get back we start moving,” said Zanishka, who said Thomas is very punctual and often gives people a call if he knows he is going to be more than 15 minutes late.

“I sent him a text. I thought it was strange but maybe he had just stepped out.”

When Thomas still hadn't come home by Tuesday morning, Zanishka knew something was wrong and contacted his family, who immediately notified the NYPD, they said.

"This is really out of character," said his brother Troy Gilleylen, 39. "He was back home in October for a wedding and he seemed fine. He was his regular happy self.”

Gilleylen, a police officer in Battle Creek, Michigan, said he has been trying to track down Thomas' bank activities and cellphone usage. While he has worked on missing persons' cases in Battle Creek, finding someone in New York City is "like finding a needle in a haystack," he said.

Gilleylen spent a few days in New York last week and plans to come back to continue the search Thursday, he said.

The NYPD’s missing persons division tweeted out a photo of Thomas April 30. He still has not been found and the investigation is ongoing, an NYPD spokesman said.

While the NYPD hunts for him, Thomas’ friends and family have been posting fliers in Harlem, near NYU, and at major transit hubs around the city.

“Harlem is completely posted up from 135th to 155th,” said Zanishka. “If you are going to buy a soda can or if you are taking any public transport you are going to see this.”

Thomas graduated from NYU’s School of Law last May. He had been offered a job at the Bronx District Attorney's Office, contingent on passing the bar exam, so he spent most of his time studying, Zanishka said.

The Bronx DA's Office could not immediately confirm the job offer.

Thomas' friends have set up a Facebook group to coordinate help efforts, which has amassed more than 480 members.

“People have been incredibly helpful and we appreciate everything," his roommate said. "A lot of his grad school friends and his college friends have been very useful. Everyone has been calling the hospitals and posting fliers. It’s kind of a testament to how wonderful and friendly he is.”