In the winter of 2016, a family's concern grew for 22-year-old Antonio Neill, a young man who was last seen on December 12th in Everett, Washington. His family reported him missing on December 28th, troubled by the uncharacteristic long period of silence. At the time of his disappearance, Antonio was described as being without a permanent home and dealing with depression. He was last seen at a residence on Cedar Street in Everett.
Authorities were also aware that he might have been driving a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. The days leading up to his disappearance had been challenging for Antonio; he had recently been released from jail and was grieving the unexpected loss of his uncle. His mother, Jenny, had spent time with him, helping him get a new driver's license and cellphone, as his had been stolen.
The investigation into Antonio's disappearance uncovered distressing details. Detectives learned that on the night he was last seen, he was involved in a physical altercation. His Volkswagen Jetta was found abandoned in Lynnwood not long after he went missing. As weeks turned into months with no word from Antonio, his family's hope began to wane, and their fears intensified. His mother, in particular, felt strongly that something terrible had happened to her son, stating they had never gone a day without speaking. The case, which began as a missing person's investigation, shifted in focus as time went on, at one point being considered a no-body homicide before reverting to a missing person case.
A grim discovery on January 1, 2019, brought a heartbreaking development to the case. A human foot inside a Timberland boot was found by beachgoers on Jetty Island in Everett. Through DNA analysis, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the remains belonged to Antonio Neill. Following this discovery, Antonio was presumed to be deceased. Despite this partial recovery, the cause and manner of his death remained undetermined. The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit has continued to investigate, conducting searches in the area where his remains were found. The case remains an active investigation, with law enforcement continuing to seek information from the public regarding the circumstances of Antonio's disappearance and death. His family continues to hope for answers and for those with information to come forward.Last Seen: Dec 12, 2016
