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Community Holds Vigil for Missing Arlington Man on Anniversary of Disappearance
Family and friends gather to remember Jonathan Hoang, a 21-year-old with autism who vanished without a trace a year ago.
Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:03am
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On the one-year anniversary of 21-year-old Jonathan Hoang's disappearance, his family and community gathered at Juanita Beach Park in Kirkland, Washington to hold a vigil and keep his case in the public eye. Hoang, who has autism, went missing from the Arlington area in 2025 without his phone, jacket or own shoes. His family remains hopeful he will be found and continues to advocate for law enforcement to keep searching.
Why it matters
The vigil highlights the ongoing challenges families face when a loved one with a cognitive disability goes missing, and the importance of community support and awareness in these cases. Hoang's disappearance also spurred efforts to create a 'Purple Alert' system in Washington to aid in finding missing people with disabilities, though the bill failed to pass this year.
The details
At the vigil, Hoang's sister Irene Pfister and father Thao Hoang spoke to the crowd, expressing gratitude for the community's support and their continued determination to find Jonathan. The family passed out flyers to keep his face and story in the public eye, as they say not much has changed in the year since his disappearance. They hope the vigil will help sustain awareness and encourage law enforcement to keep searching.
- Jonathan Hoang went missing on March 31, 2025.
- The vigil was held on March 31, 2026, exactly one year after Hoang's disappearance.
The players
Jonathan Hoang
A 21-year-old man with autism who went missing from the Arlington, Washington area in 2025.
Irene Pfister
Jonathan Hoang's sister, who spoke at the vigil and expressed the family's continued hope that he will be found.
Thao Hoang
Jonathan Hoang's father and court-appointed legal guardian, who also spoke at the vigil and said the family won't give up searching for him.
What they’re saying
“We haven't given up. We won't give up.”
— Thao Hoang, Jonathan Hoang's father and court-appointed legal guardian
“It just means so much that you chose to come tonight.”
— Irene Pfister, Jonathan Hoang's sister
“We love Jonathan very much. We want him home with his family. His family needs him home, to be safe and protected.”
— Thao Hoang, Jonathan Hoang's father and court-appointed legal guardian
What’s next
The family says a bill to create a 'Purple Alert' system for missing people with cognitive disabilities, similar to a Silver Alert, will have another chance to go up for a vote in the Washington state legislature in the coming year.
The takeaway
This vigil underscores the ongoing challenges families face when a loved one with a disability goes missing, and the importance of community support and awareness in these cases. While the 'Purple Alert' bill failed to pass this year, the Hoang family's continued advocacy keeps the issue in the spotlight and offers hope for future legislative action to help find missing individuals with cognitive disabilities.
