In the city of Utica, New York, concern began to mount for 58-year-old Dean S. Alsante, a resident of Faas Avenue. The last known contact with Dean was on December 21, 2022, when he had a telephone conversation with his sister who resides in Florida. Standing at 5 feet 4 inches and weighing around 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, Dean was a familiar, though increasingly unseen, member of his community.
As the months passed after his last confirmed communication, his absence became more pronounced, sparking a sense of unease among those who lived nearby.
The official investigation into Dean's disappearance was set in motion in the autumn of the following year. In early November 2023, a paralegal from Buffalo arrived at Dean's home, seeking his signature on some documents. When neighbors were questioned about his whereabouts, a chilling realization dawned upon them; no one could recall seeing him for a significant period. This revelation prompted the Utica Police Department to initiate welfare checks, but their efforts to locate Dean were unsuccessful. His neighbors noted that they had not physically seen him outside his residence for several years, following the loss of his leg.
As the investigation deepened, the circumstances surrounding Dean's disappearance grew more perplexing. The Utica Police Department continues to look into the case, with one theory being that he may have passed away and another individual could be illicitly collecting his benefit checks. The community's concern materialized in the form of banners and flyers that appeared throughout the West Utica neighborhood, calling for 'JusticeForDean'. The case remains an active missing person investigation, a painful and unresolved chapter for his family and a mystery that continues to trouble the Utica community. The Utica Police Department has encouraged anyone with information regarding Dean Alsante's whereabouts to come forward as they work to provide answers to his loved ones.Last Seen: Dec 21, 2022
