In the summer of 2023, the community of Hudson, New York, was marked by the troubling disappearance of a local man. Sixty-three-year-old Robert J. Coons was last seen on the morning of July 6, 2023. He was leaving an appointment on Columbia Street in Hudson at approximately 10:30 a.m. At the time he went missing, he was wearing a blue t-shirt, blue jeans, and work boots. Concern mounted when, three days later, on July 9th, his mother reported him missing to the City of Hudson Police Department. She conveyed to authorities that it was highly uncharacteristic of her son not to be in contact, which immediately raised alarms among his family and friends.
As the days turned into weeks and then months, the search for Robert Coons continued. The Hudson Police Department, in conjunction with the New York State Police Major Crimes Unit, launched an extensive investigation into his whereabouts. Despite their efforts and the investigation of numerous leads, his location remained a mystery. Authorities noted that Coons was known to frequent not only the City of Hudson but also Albany and the Town of Schodack. In an effort to generate new information, a cash reward of up to $2,500 was offered by New York State Crime Stoppers for any details that could lead to locating him. The public was urged to come forward with any information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, in the hope of resolving the case.
Tragically, the search for Robert Coons came to a sorrowful end. On December 9, 2024, a surveying crew working near Mill Street in Hudson discovered skeletal remains in a wooded area. The remains were sent to the New York State Forensic Investigation Center for analysis. On January 3, 2025, it was confirmed through DNA testing that the remains were those of Robert J. Coons. An autopsy was conducted, but the cause of his death remains undetermined. The findings did not suggest any signs of trauma or foul play. Following the identification, the Hudson Police Department immediately notified the Coons family, bringing a painful conclusion to their prolonged uncertainty. While the discovery provided a measure of closure, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance is ongoing.
Last Seen: Jul 06, 2023
