OAKLAND — No matter the outcome, Jonathan Bandabaila’s family and friends just want to know what happened to him.
They still believe he is alive, but the 19-year-old Oakland resident has not been seen or heard from since early May.
He was last seen May 3 when he left his home to drive to a soccer tournament. On May 4 his car, a 1998 silver Honda Accord, was found parked in westbound lanes of the Hayward-San Mateo Bridge. Among items inside were his soccer gear and the clothes he planned to wear to an upcoming formal event.
A dozen relatives and friends, some holding pictures of him and others signs saying “We Miss you Jonny” and “Jonathan Come Home Please We Love you,” joined police commanders Thursday at a news conference where a plea was made to the public for help in locating the Merritt College student.
The family announced it is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to finding him.
His older brother, Harrison Bandabaila, tears streaming down his face, spoke on the family’s behalf about his sibling and what they are going through.
He said his mother still cries constantly, which is difficult for him to witness: “We just want to know what happened to him.”
He said the family cannot think of any reason why he would deliberately disappear.
“I don’t think he ran away. There were no signs of depression or mental illness. He was happy”
Bandabalia said his brother is “an amazing person. When you first encounter him, he will always be in your memory. He was loving, caring, very athletic. He was a walking jukebox who was always playing music. He was full of joy.”
He thanked police for their efforts and the community for the support they have shown. Even with the uncertainty, he said the family “will stay determined. This kid, he’s loved dearly and we miss him. I know my brother is out there and I do have faith he will come home.”
Chief of Police Anne Kirkpatrick said she has gotten to know the Bandabaila family and said they are “wonderful, wonderful people” and that the department would continue to stand by them.
She made it clear that the case was still open “and that it will not be closed until we know what happened to Jonathan.”
Deputy Chief Oliver Cunningham, whose duties include overseeing the department’s Missing Persons Unit, said investigators do have some leads but did not want to disclose too much information. He did say investigators “are looking at every pathway” and are optimistic about the case: “We just want Jonathan to let us know he is OK wherever he is or just reach out to his family and say ‘I’m OK.'”
Anyone who may have information about Bandabaila is asked to call police at 510-238-3641.
Missing Person Jonathan Bandabaila Press Conference
Police and family ask for help in locating him. Click on link below for the entire press conference:https://t.co/iQ2CQKomDV pic.twitter.com/Tiiwnf2mOw
— Oakland Police Dept. (@oaklandpoliceca) September 19, 2019