In the late afternoon of Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Jose Reyes III, a 25-year-old resident of New Brunswick, New Jersey, began what was believed to be his journey home. At approximately 5:01 PM, he was captured on a camera near the intersection of Tabernacle Way and Neilson Street. In this last known sighting, he was seen wearing a black hooded coat with white marks, a gray shirt, black pants, and white shoes.
After this moment, the trail of the young man, described by loved ones as deeply loving and family-oriented, went cold, prompting his family to report him missing that same day. His disappearance sparked immediate concern among his family and the wider community, leading to the registration of his case with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.
As days turned into weeks, the search for Jose, known affectionately as 'Bebo' to his family, continued with a growing sense of urgency. His loved ones remembered him as a kind, warm, and generous person who was always there for his parents, siblings, cousins, and friends. The community rallied around his family, sharing information and hoping for his safe return. A GoFundMe campaign was initiated to support his family, and it quickly garnered significant contributions, a testament to the number of lives Jose had touched in his 25 years. The uncertainty surrounding his whereabouts was a heavy burden for all who knew him, as they awaited any news that might lead to answers.
Tragically, after nearly a month of searching, the case came to a heartbreaking conclusion. On the morning of March 25, 2026, a body was discovered along the banks of the Raritan River. The location was near The Edge at Raritan Heights, an apartment complex off Route 1 south in New Brunswick. Authorities from the New Brunswick Police Department responded to the scene and, in early April, confirmed the devastating news that the body was that of Jose Reyes III. The discovery brought a close to the search but opened a new chapter of grief for his family and friends, who were left to mourn the profound loss of a beloved son, brother, and friend. The overview of this case is a sorrowful narrative of a young man who disappeared while on his way home, leading to an extensive search that unfortunately ended with the discovery of his passing.Last Seen: Feb 24, 2026
