On April 30, 2025, 14-year-old Christopher Descavich was reported missing from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System his last known contact occurred on that date, and a case was officially created in early July. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance prompted a swift response from local authorities.
Portsmouth Police began investigating the case around 10 p.m. on April 30.
The following morning, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation alerted police to surveillance footage showing an individual matching Christopher’s description jumping from the Sara Long Bridge into the Piscataqua River at approximately 8:49 p.m. on the night of his disappearance. This discovery led to an immediate and extensive search of the river.
Multiple agencies joined the search effort, including the New Hampshire Marine Patrol, United States Coast Guard, Portsmouth Fire Department, Kittery Police, Kittery Harbor Master, and the Newington and Rye Fire Departments. Despite coordinated efforts, Christopher had not been located as of the latest updates. Authorities have not publicly confirmed his identity in connection with the bridge footage, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
The case has drawn attention to the protocols surrounding missing children in New Hampshire. While an AMBER Alert was not issued, the situation met several criteria for a high-priority response, including the age of the missing individual and the potential danger indicated by the surveillance footage. Mental health resources, such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, were also highlighted by officials during public communications related to the case.Last Seen: Apr 30, 2025
