I want to learn more about Jonathan. Do you have more specific information about him?
Yes, visit our Jonathan page to learn more about him.
Disappearance and Sightings
Where have there been recent sightings of Jonathan?
The only validated sighting since his disappearance on March 30 was on June 23: Jonathan is pictured on security footage from 3 homes in South Juanita in Kirkland, Washington. This footage is all in the same window of time, approximately 11pm-12am on Monday, June 23rd. In the footage, Jonathan appears to be lost and disoriented, but clean and groomed. Do NOT only focus on individuals by themselves. It is suspected that he could be with another individual.
When did Jonathan go missing?
Jonathan went missing on March 30, 2025, when he said goodnight to his dad at 7:30pm in his Arlington, Washington home. The next morning at 6:40am when his mom went to wake him for school, she discovered he was gone.
Jonathan has autism, is habitual, and follows a structured routine. Jonathan never leaves home without a jacket with a hood (it’s like a security blanket for him; he would even go for walks in the neighborhood with a hooded jacket in 90+ degree heat). All of Jonathan’s jackets were left behind along with all personal effects: wallet, phone, money, medications. No bags were packed and everything Jonathan would normally leave the house with with was left at home.
Jonathan’s iPad was also missing, an item he only leaves home with if he is going on a long car or plane ride. This all suggests he did not expect to be gone long and/or he was coaxed out by someone. A pair of wired earbuds was discovered missing as well.
Jonathan frequently took walks in his neighborhood during the daytime. He would wear his jacket, follow a typical path that never veered off of pavement (he hates being dirty), and he would often ask his parents for permission if they were home. He would even cross the street in the same manner in the same places each time.
As a creature of habit, it is a massive deviation for Jonathan to have left on his own in the night. He is very trusting of adults, seeing them as authority figures to obey.
Are you sure the June 23 sighting was Jonathan?
Yes. The family closely reviewed footage from 3 homes, looking at his appearance, posture, mannerisms, and how he walked, as well as what he was wearing. All of these were instantly recognizable as Jonathan, where all other footage and photographs reviewed over the last months were not. Jonathan’s teachers, speech language pathologist, and extended family reviewed the footage and also believe the sightings are Jonathan.
Additionally, audio was enhanced on the footage, and Jonathan’s vocal stim when anxious (“Hmm”) can be heard repeatedly. Below is longer video feed from that night for searchers to get a visual of his movements and body language.
Why would Jonathan be in Kirkland and why now?
We still believe the most likely scenario is that Jonathan did not leave home on his own and without assistance or coaching.
Though some may hear “Autism” and associate this with elopement or unpredictable behavior, Jonathan is very much a creature of habit. It would be extremely out of his character and typical behavior ranges to deviate from his normal habits and routine.
We believe Jonathan has been with someone, and that for the duration of the footage, he became separated from them (they released him, he got away from them, or they allowed him to walk here) and he somehow found his way to this street. Notably, one of the homes was located on a street name similar to Jonathan’s home address in Arlington, WA. Jonathan was still learning his home address, but given his habitual nature, it seems plausible that he could be drawn to and confused by a similar street name in another neighborhood.
Yes, it is possible, but very improbable that he somehow made his own way from Arlington to Kirkland without assistance.
Why does the footage show him looking groomed, clean, and fed if he cannot live without assistance?
Jonathan has not been outside on the street this entire time. Lack of credible sightings from March 31, 2025 to June 23, 2025 point to this. It is probable he has been or is currently under the care of someone else.
Finding and Identifying Jonathan
What are some physical traits and mannerisms for searchers?
Jonathan has a large mole on his right inner forearm and two moles on the left side of his face.
He walks with a distinctive gait (but this is more easily identified by those who know him). Sometimes, Jonathan will walk with his hands held behind his back, or he will have them straight forward with bent arms and clenched fists.
Stims: When anxious, he often rocks or paces. With high anxiety or stress, his movements can become stiff as he paces. Occasionally he has a vocal stim that sounds a bit like “hmm.”
In the past, before Jonathan was medicated, he would sometimes hit his head repeatedly with an open palm when frustrated.
Jonathan often sits with his shoulders hunched forward.
Prior to his disappearance, he loved wearing his jacket. It’s like a security blanket for him and he puts his hood up.
He might appear homeless, disoriented, or like he has mental illness. Occasionally, Jonathan will talk to himself.
What are some of Jonathan’s verbal mannerisms?
Occasionally he has a vocal stim that sounds a bit like “hmm.”
While unlikely to self-advocate and articulate that he is lost or needs help, he would ask for food, water, and to use a restroom.
Catch Phrases: Jonathan often uses the same phrases daily in response to similar situations occurring:
- When asked a question:
- “I don’t remember right now.”
- “My memory isn’t very good/I don’t remember things very well.”
- “I am not sure. Let me ask my mom/parents.”
- When offered food or something else that he doesn’t particularly want:
- “I’m grateful for what I have.”
- When wanting to avoid something, whether it be a conversation, an errand, or something else:
- “Can I go now?”
- “Can I be done now?”
- When he sees someone is not eating something and he wants it:
- “Are you going to eat that?”
- “Can I have that?”
Where might Jonathan go (in public)?
Generally, shelter, food and restaurants, coffee shops and stands, cozy spaces/places, churches, and restrooms are places he might seek out. When canvassing businesses or residences, ask if a young man matching his description has asked for food or to use the restroom.
While verbal and able to respond to his name and have a conversation, he may not have the skills to seek help and he struggles with problem-solving. He is more likely to shut down when faced with a stressful or confusing situation, rather than seeking out help. Though Jonathan is unlikely to know to ask someone for help getting home, he may ask for food, water, and to use a restroom.
Jonathan likes calm and quiet, and he likes clean. It’s unlikely that he would venture off of pavement (on his daily walks in the neighborhood he was very respectful of private property), or go onto a beach given the sand, mud, and water. He would likely be drawn to well-kept and quiet areas like residential areas, or wide and clear trails, sidewalks, and walking paths.
He loves food & drink and could approach restaurants, gas stations, food trucks, etc. In particular he’s fond of Red Robin, Buffalo Wild Wings, Olive Garden, Starbucks, coffee stands, root beer floats, banana shakes, lotus drinks, Italian sodas, snacks of any kind.
Would Jonathan ask for help?
Jonathan is verbal but unlikely to self-advocate. He does not remember details like addresses or phone numbers. He does not have skills or knowledge for what to do if lost, so he is unlikely to put himself in a visible space for searchers. When anxious or overwhelmed, he tends to shut down, so it is unlikely he would tell someone he is lost and ask for help. However, for basic needs like using a restroom or saying he is hungry, he would likely ask for help.
If approached, Jonathan will likely come if you call for him by name, and he would want or appreciate a jacket with a hood (even in warm weather).
What are some of Jonathan’s interests?
As mentioned above, Jonathan’s main interests include walking and food & drink (Red Robin, Buffalo Wild Wings, Olive Garden, Starbucks, coffee stands, root beer floats, banana shakes, lotus drinks, Italian sodas, snacks). He preferred the company of adults to children and cozy, clean, dark, and quiet spaces, like his bedroom.
Jonathan enjoys playing games on his iPad at home (all apps needed parental permission to download). He has a Perry the platypus pillow pet, likes Minecraft, Nintendo games like Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, and Legend of Zelda.
Jonathan also likes “researching” online via YouTube (but has no YouTube account). He has an interest in cryptids (animals whose existence is debated or unproven by science, like Bigfoot) and modern folklore (like Krampus and Slender Man).
For books, Jonathan enjoys Captain Underpants, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and Last Kids on Earth.
He likes silliness (think middle school humor) and loves his family dog, a Yorkie named Lady (he liked to say “I think Lady needs some attention” when she was whining or ringing her bell at the front door).
Search History and Suggestions
What has been done to find Jonathan already?
An extensive Search and Rescue (SAR) effort was done the first week of Jonathan’s disappearance, included professional trackers, multiple sets of scent dogs (including cadaver dogs and dogs trained to track days-old scent near water and marshy areas), helicopters, drones, riverboats, and infrared.
On Saturday, April 5th, 150 SAR volunteers searched for Jonathan in an arm-to-arm search in the area surrounding his last known location. Searchers were directed to not go around any obstacle: only over, under, or straight through. The SAR Deputy believed Jonathan’s remains would likely be recovered on this day, but after the extensive search yielded no indication Jonathan ever left the backyard or pavement, now believes Jonathan was taken in a vehicle on the night of March 30th.
At the time of his disappearance, Jonathan’s iPad was also missing, an item he only leaves home with if he is going on a long car or plane ride (Apple was issued a subpoena with the help of a judge and an attorney, but refused to comply, citing law enforcement could request the data).
The last “Find My” location ping was the street in front of his house. Jonathan did not leave with his cell phone. The family has logged into his iCloud account and found no digital forensic data that would suggest what might have happened.
With generous donations and support from the community, enough funds were raised on GoFundMe for Jonathan’s parents to acquire emergency guardianship of Jonathan and to hire a P.I., but there were no credible sightings of Jonathan until June 23.
His family has created a Facebook page, worked with advocates, created flyers, and made media appearances to raise community awareness and to apply pressure on law enforcement and government agencies to take more urgent action. A private Facebook group has been created for volunteers to offer and coordinate direct efforts to find him and raise community awareness.
Did ICE take him?
No. While ICE has been responsible for disappearances, this possibility was explored when Jonathan first went missing. The detention centers we contacted shared no one matching Jonathan’s name or appearance could be located.
What if I had a psychic premonition about Jonathan?
Our family does not subscribe to or believe in psychics, tarot card readers, highly intuitive premonitions, visions, or any other metaphysical manifestations. Though skeptical, we have already listened to and followed some leads from psychics, and none have been helpful, accurate, or credible. No leads from psychics have been consistent, and many told us Jonathan would be found deceased in various locations with vague descriptions. At this time, we are focusing our efforts on tangible tips and sightings that are actionable.
Have you tried asking _____ for help already?
Yes, probably. Here’s a partial list of the people and offices Jonathan’s family has sought help from:
- Attorney General’s Office (various contacts): They said they required the Snohomish Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to reach out to them to prompt any action.
- Snohomish Prosecuting Attorney’s office (various contacts): They said an “outside entity or agency” needed to raise a concern or complaint with them to report to the Attorney General’s Office (in other words, not family). When asked for an example, they could not provide one. The co-founder of the National Autism Association and Adult Protective Services said they could reach out to them with concerns, but this has not yet triggered any kind of response.
- U.S. State Attorney’s Office: Disability Rights / Department of Justice – An Assistant US Attorney from the Department of Justice directed us to contact Adult Protective Services and Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) ADA Coordinator.
- Adult Protective Services: They informed us that APS cannot do anything without Jonathan physically present.
- SCSO ADA Coordinator: They told us on the phone that “this isn’t his lane”, but that he would encourage the head of the Major Crimes Unit to reach out to us. We only ended up getting a meeting with SCSO by going to the office and waiting in-person until someone – anyone – would meet with us about letters of preservation on Monday, April 28th (Day 30 for critical digital data being wiped was April 29th).
- WA State Governor’s Office: A contact at the Governor’s office sent a formal recommendation to the Governor’s Executive Team to pressure SCSO into relinquishing jurisdiction to the FBI and that Jonathans’ case be investigated as a crime. However, no action was taken based on this recommendation. The contact is trying to get us an in-person meeting with the governor, but as of this writing there’s no reason to expect the meeting will occur.
- Senator Cantwell’s Office: A contact at the office tried to get us an FBI Liaison, but were unable to because Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office has not asked for the FBI’s help/interagency support. They have been incredibly (verbally) supportive and wish they could do more, but say their hands are tied until SCSO asks for the FBI to step in.
- Representative Kim Schrier’s Office: Similar to Senator Cantwell’s Office – Offered any and all possible support, but has not been able to materially move the case forward.
- FBI (Seattle Office): Still waiting to hear back about filed complaints, but they asked the Everett FBI office to reach out to Jonathan’s family to say the FBI is “not involved in Jonathan’s investigation at this time.”
- Snohomish City Council (Nate Nehring): Offered to reach out to Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office personally. This yielded no change from SCSO.
- SCSO’s Office of Professional Accountability: Snohomish’s OPA stated they confirmed no policies or procedures have been violated. We asked SCSO’s OPA several follow-up questions via email, but received no response.
- Autism Foundation CEO: Filed 2 formal complaints against SCSO (she was directed to file these complaints by the FBI) and has not heard back. She also issued this press release to counter one that was posted by SCSO: https://www.autism-foundation.org/jonathan-hoang
- National Autism Association Co-Founder: On the family’s behalf, contacted SCSO, the attorney general’s office, the Snohomish Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (and more) personally with concerns about mishandling of the case and lack of investigation.
- Snohomish County Commissioners: A contact at DOJ directed us to reach out to them, but a Snohomish County Court Clerk told us to not contact them about Jonathan’s case (contact law enforcement instead).
- SCSO Sheriff Susanna Johnson: (in our Monday, April 28th in-person meeting where we forced the issue by remaining in the office until seen) said that she would look into letters of preservation for us in recognition of our concern, but never connected or circled back.