Long Island Teen Found Dead in Brooklyn Waters

Thomas Medlin, 15, vanished after telling family he was meeting someone from Roblox game.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:40am

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A 15-year-old Long Island boy named Thomas Medlin was found dead in Brooklyn waters two months after he vanished from Manhattan Bridge, where surveillance video captured a splash in the water below around the time he was last seen.

Why it matters

This tragic case highlights the risks young people can face when meeting online contacts in person, as well as the challenges law enforcement faces in investigating missing persons cases, especially those involving technology and social media.

The details

Medlin left his school on Long Island on January 9th and told his family he was going to meet someone he had connected with through the online game Roblox. He was last seen on surveillance video on the Manhattan Bridge at 7:06 pm, and a splash was recorded in the water below at 7:10 pm. Police found no indication of criminal activity, but the investigation into his disappearance and death remains ongoing.

  • On January 9, 2026, Medlin left his school around 3:30 pm.
  • On January 9, 2026, Medlin was last seen on surveillance video on the Manhattan Bridge at 7:06 pm.
  • On January 9, 2026, a splash was recorded in the water below the Manhattan Bridge at 7:10 pm.
  • On March 7, 2026, Medlin's body was recovered from the waters off Red Hook in Brooklyn.

The players

Thomas Medlin

A 15-year-old boy from St. James, New York who went missing after telling his family he was meeting someone he connected with through the online game Roblox.

Suffolk County Police Department

The law enforcement agency that investigated Medlin's disappearance and confirmed his identity after his body was recovered from the Brooklyn waters.

Roblox

The online gaming platform that Medlin reportedly told his family he was meeting someone from before he went missing.

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What’s next

The investigation into Medlin's disappearance and death remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to review evidence and work with the Roblox platform.

The takeaway

This tragic case serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers young people can face when meeting online contacts in person, and highlights the critical importance of open communication, digital safety education, and vigilance from both parents and tech platforms to protect vulnerable youth.