Family, community members maintain hope for return of Jonathan Hoang

EVERETT — More than four months after his family reported him missing, 21-year-old Jonathan Hoang’s whereabouts remain a mystery.

Hoang was reported missing from his residence in the 18500 block of 114th Drive NE in Arlington around 7:30 p.m. March 30. His family says it’s unlikely that Hoang, who is on the autism spectrum, would leave without notifying family members.

Since then, extensive searches by law enforcement and family members, rallies, national media exposure and Facebook groups of thousands of members have failed to locate Hoang.

Crime Stoppers is offering a 100,000 reward for information leading to the return of Hoang.

On June 23, surveillance footage appeared to show a person resembling Hoang in the South Juanita neighborhood of Kirkland.

On Wednesday, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office said detectives were aware of the potential sighting in Kirkland and canvassed the area for additional surveillance.

“At this time, detectives have not been able to positively confirm the identity of the individual seen in the Kirkland surveillance footage,” said spokesperson Courtney O’Keefe.

Hoang’s sister, Irene Pfister, said Wednesday it is Hoang in the footage. It’s a belief shared by family members, school staff and his speech language pathologist, she said, because of the physical attributes and mannerisms of the individual.

“The way they hold themselves, their posture, the clothing as well. It appears to be Jonathan,” Pfister said. “We had the audio enhanced on one of the videos, and we can hear his vocal stim.”

Pfister said Kirkland police told her family they were ready to launch a search, but were told by the Snohomish Sheriff’s office that the individual in the video was not Hoang.

“The detective never once told my family that he did not believe the footage was Jonathan, ” Pfister said. “So obviously, we’re incredibly upset upon hearing that.”

Kirkland police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Gabby Petito Foundation and Light the Way Missing Persons Advocacy Project has begun working with Hoang’s family, including arranging a meeting between Snohomish County Sheriff Susanna Johnson, Major Crimes Unit detectives and family members, Pfister said.

“Our family still is seeking Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office help in finding Jonathan,” she said. “We would like to meet as soon as possible, to discuss Jonathan’s case, to talk through what’s happened and how we can move forward together to do the work that matters, and that’s finding him.”

Since Snohomish County deputies suspended the search for Hoang in April, the family has been critical of the what they is a lack of urgency from the sheriff’s office.

On Wednesday, O’Keefe said the sheriff’s office continues to actively investigate Hoang’s disappearance. The sheriff’s office has not declined assistance from any local, state or federal law enforcement agencies.

“Throughout the investigation, detectives have been in touch with peers from different agencies, including WSP’s Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit, Kirkland Police Department, Arlington Police Department, and the FBI about the case,” O’Keefe said in the press release.

The sheriff’s office offered tips for anybody who believes they have spotted Jonathan:

• Take a clear photo.

• Call 9-1-1 immediately from the location of the sighting—do not delay.

• If safe to do so, ask the individual if his name is Jonathan.

• If he leaves before deputies arrive, note which direction he went so law enforcement can follow up.

“We appreciate the public’s help as we work together to bring Jonathan home,” O’Keefe said.

Michael Henneke: 425-339-3431; michael.henneke@heraldnet.com; X: @ihenpecked

Jenna Millikan: 425-339-3035; jenna.millikan@heraldnet.com; X: @JennaMillikan