In the fall of 2011, a 59-year-old man named Howard Comis vanished from his home in the Bronx, New York. Known to many by his nickname 'Zebra,' Howard was a distinctive figure in his neighborhood, often seen sporting a black beret and stylish, youthful clothing. On October 7, 2011, he reportedly left his apartment and his pit bull with a neighbor, stating he would be away in Harlem for a few days. He mentioned he would quickly return from a nearby pet store with food for the dog, but he was never seen or heard from again. The neighbor, after not hearing from him, eventually had to surrender his beloved dog to the ASPCA. Howard, who lived with bipolar disorder, may have been struggling with his mental health around the time of his disappearance.
Friends and family grew concerned as days turned into weeks with no word from Howard. It's believed he may have stopped taking his medication prior to his disappearance.
In the weeks leading up to the day he was last seen, his behavior had become erratic, with reports of him making harassing phone calls to his daughter. There were also suggestions that he may have been selling his medication for money. A student at an online university, he left behind his laptop and all of his furniture. His phone, which had previously been very active, went silent after October 8th. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance are murky, with some friends believing he may have been harmed by individuals he was supposed to travel to Harlem with.
Despite the passage of time, Howard Comis's case remains unsolved, leaving his loved ones with unanswered questions. There were potential sightings and leads, including a theory that he may have been involved with the Occupy Wall Street movement, but none have been substantiated. He was known to frequent a pool hall on 207th Street in Manhattan. The New York City Police Department's Missing Persons Squad investigated his disappearance, but no concrete information about his whereabouts has ever emerged. The lack of evidence and the conflicting accounts of his last known movements have made it difficult to piece together what happened to him, creating a painful and enduring mystery for those who knew and cared for him.Last Seen: Oct 7, 2011
