05/12/98: Joshua Bender, 19, New York, NY

Joshua Bender, 19, was last seen about 8:30 p.m. on May 12, 1998 in his dorm room by his roommate. He told his roommate that he intended to meet classmates that night to study for his final exams in finance, which were just two days away.

Bender often went home on weekends, so when he didn't return, his roommate figured he had gone there to study for finals. On May 14, after Bender didn't show up for his finance course final, his dorm counselor became worried and called the teen's father.

His body was found in the Hudson River 12 days later.
On Sunday, May 24, 1998, Joshua's parents, Michael and Gitty Bender, were searching for him in Fort Tryon Park in upper Manhattan with hundreds of volunteers yesterday when word came that their son's body had been recovered a few hours earlier.

Joshua's body was spotted by two passersby at 5 a.m., floating in the waters of the Hudson River off W. 157th St., a desolate spot with Dumpsters and piles of stones,nearly two weeks after he disappeared. He still had his wallet, with $30. He was face down in the blue jeans, button-down plaid shirt and shoes he had been wearing when he vanished, along with his wallet and credit cards, the police said. An autopsy will not be performed for religious reasons, but x-rays and external examination turned up no signs of foul play or suicide.

02/16/97: Patrick McNeil, 21, New York City, NY

Patrick McNeill, 21, was last seen on the Upper East Side of New York City on February 16, 1997. He had been bar hopping with some friends, and one police source said he was incredibly drunk. He was last seen at 2nd Ave. and 92nd St. walking outside The Dapper Dog, where he left shortly before midnight. He had told friends he was tired and had an early class and would take the subway back to the Bronx campus. A friend said she would join him for the subway ride to Fordham's Rose Hill campus in the Bronx after she used the ladies room. He agreed to wait, but when she returned he was gone.