Although African-Americans make up just 13 percent of the U.S. population, we account for 33 percent of the missing in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s database. Cases involving African-Americans also tend to receive less media coverage than missing Whites, with missing men of color getting even less attention.
NewsOne has partnered with the Black and Missing Foundation to focus on the crisis of missing African-Americans.
To be a part of the solution, NewsOne will profile a missing person weekly and provide tips about how to keep your loved ones safe and what to do if someone goes missing.
Landon Edward Thomas
Case Type: Endangered
DOB: Aug. 5, 1989
Missing Date: April 27, 2015
Age Now: 25
Missing City: New York
Missing State: New York
Gender: Male
Race: Black
Complexion: Medium
Height: 6-1
Weight: 300
Hair Color: Black
Hair Length: Short
Eye Color: Brown
Wear Glasses or Contacts: Yes
Location Last Seen: According to the New York City Police Department, Thomas was last seen at his apartment on 145th Street in Harlem where he and a roommate were packing up and preparing to move that night.
Circumstances of Disappearance: Landon left the apartment without his identification and vanished, his mother Patricia Thomas, 54, told NewsOne in an interview.
Landon’s roommate tried to text him, but got no response. When he did not return the next morning, the roommate felt something was wrong and called Landon’s family, who contacted the New York City Police Department.
Patricia Thomas said her son has never been out of contact this long and that he did not have any issues or personal problems that she knew of that would cause him to drop out of sight. The last time Landon’s family saw him was when he returned home in October for the wedding of his older brother. Landon was the middle child of three brothers. He was his normal jovial self.
“We touched base on a regular basis. He was very upbeat the last time we spoke, so this has thrown me for a loop,” said Patricia Thomas.
Landon graduated from the New York University School of the Law last May and was studying for the bar exam so that he could start work at one of the city’s district attorney offices.
Thomas spent much of his time studying because he planned to take the bar exam soon.
“He loved it there. New York was for him,” said Patricia Thomas, who recalled how the whole family drove to New York City from Kalamazoo, Mich. to drop him off at school a few years ago. The family returned again last year for Landon’s graduation.
“I always told him if things got hard he could always come home,” said Patricia Thomas.
That didn’t seem like it was happening any time soon. In addition to the job he had secured that was dependent on passing the bar exam, Landon had many friends in the city, said his mother.
“He was well-loved. He was like a big teddy bear type,” said Patricia Thomas. “He never met a stranger and he didn’t judge people. He took everyone at face value.”
Thomas’ friends have shown their love for him by plastering Harlem with fliers about his disappearance. They also created a Facebook page to help conduct the search for him, which now has over 1,000 members. NYU Law School is actively involved in the search.
“The Law School is actively assisting his family and friends in the search,” read a memo from the school.
“Many in our community have personal relationships with Landon and are deeply affected by his disappearance,” the correspondence continued.
“It’s hard not knowing his whereabouts, but I’m strong in faith and I’m praying he’s OK and that we hear from him soon,” said Patricia Thomas.
Landon’s family is holding out hope they will soon receive good news.
“We love you. We just want you safe and found. Contact us if you need anything. We are there for you,” Patricia Thomas said in an appeal to her son.
Last Seen Wearing: White sneakers, black sweater, and blue jeans.
Identifying Marks or Characteristics: Unknown.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Landon Edward Thomas should contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS or text their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577. You may also contact the Black and Missing Foundation’s confidential Tip Line.
