At a Glance
- Emilio Acosta, 20, vanished from Weehawken, N.J., on Dec. 18, 2025
- Surveillance shows him walking toward MetLife Stadium; phone last pinged there
- Parents say he has bipolar disorder and left home without medication
- Why it matters: A month-long search has produced no leads and the family is desperate for tips
A New Jersey family is pleading for the public’s help after 20-year-old Emilio Acosta disappeared from his Weehawken home nearly a month ago, leaving behind clues that end near MetLife Stadium.
According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), Acosta was last seen on Dec. 18, 2025. Surveillance footage places him walking toward the stadium, and his cell phone last pinged in that area. Despite extensive searches, authorities have found no trace of him.
The Night He Vanished
Around 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 18, Acosta’s parents woke to find him rummaging through a closet in their bedroom. He grabbed two backpacks and ran out of the house.
His father, Idelfonso Acosta, immediately drove around the neighborhood searching for his son but found nothing. The family later learned that Acosta, who lives with bipolar disorder, had left without his medication.
> “Our son has been living with bipolar disorder. He was under proper care but since he’s left the house, he hasn’t had his medication with him,” Idelfonso told News 12.
Trail Ends at MetLife Stadium
Security cameras captured Acosta’s movements after he left home:
- First sighting: near a Weehawken elementary school
- Second sighting: at a Shell gas station in Secaucus
- Final sighting: walking toward MetLife Stadium
His phone’s last signal also came from the stadium vicinity. Since then, there has been no activity on any of his social-media accounts.
> “We’ve had numerous leads and things of that nature since that time, but unfortunately they haven’t panned out,” Weehawken Police Deputy Chief James White told NJ.com on Jan. 6. “He hasn’t logged on to any of his social media accounts.”
What He Was Wearing
NamUs lists Acosta’s clothing when last seen:
- Beige hooded sweatshirt with navy-blue Yankee lettering
- Grey sweatpants
- Black Timberland boots
- Two backpacks, one with a black ski helmet attached
Authorities describe him as 5′ 11″ tall, weighing 160-180 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes.
Family Refuses to Give Up
Flyers bearing Acosta’s photo now cover Hudson County. His father told WNBC on Jan. 2 that the support keeps them hopeful.
> “My son is a loving, caring person with the right support,” Idelfonso said. “I cannot understate how much support and love we have received from friends and family. That has given us strength to not give up hope…We’re gonna bring him back home.”
How to Help
Anyone with information is urged to call the Weehawken Police Department at 201-863-7800.
> “We ask the community to take a close look at his picture and if they see him, just communicate directly with the Weehawken Police Department,” Idelfonso said.
Need mental-health support? Text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to reach a certified crisis counselor.
