🚨 BREAKING HEARTBREAK: Police zero in on the East River after a JACKET matching missing 15yo Thomas Medlin’s was FOUND near the Manhattan Bridge… 😱💔

Just days after that chilling “splash” video dropped—one minute after his phone went dead—he’s never seen leaving the bridge.

Now divers and search teams are flooding the freezing waters below. Is this the devastating clue that ends the nightmare… or another false hope crushing his desperate parents?

The family is in agony, rejecting easy conclusions while clinging to every shred of possibility. What drove a bright teen from Long Island straight to that bridge on a cold January night?

If you’ve seen anything—or know someone who has—share this NOW. Every second counts. Praying for a miracle… or answers.

Click for the full gut-wrenching details 👇

Authorities have shifted their search efforts to the murky waters of the East River beneath the Manhattan Bridge as the disappearance of 15-year-old Thomas Medlin enters its fourth week with no sign of the teen.

Reports indicate that a jacket matching the description of clothing Medlin was wearing when he vanished has been recovered in the vicinity, prompting police to concentrate resources on the river area. While Suffolk County Police have not officially confirmed the jacket’s recovery in public statements, the development aligns with the department’s ongoing review of evidence pointing to the bridge as Medlin’s last known location.

The teenager, a student at The Stony Brook School, left campus abruptly on January 9 around 3:30 p.m. Witnesses observed him running to the nearby Stony Brook train station before boarding a Long Island Rail Road train to Manhattan. He was captured on surveillance at Grand Central Terminal approximately two hours later, around 5:30 p.m.

What followed remains shrouded in mystery. In their most recent update on January 28, Suffolk County Police revealed that extensive video analysis placed Medlin on the pedestrian walkway of the Manhattan Bridge at 7:06 p.m. His cellphone registered its final activity at 7:09 p.m. One minute later, at 7:10 p.m., a nearby camera recorded a splash in the East River below. Detectives confirmed Medlin was never observed exiting the bridge through any pedestrian paths or stairwells.

“There is no indication of criminal activity,” the department stated, adding that investigators are issuing subpoenas and search warrants as needed while maintaining close communication with Medlin’s family. The police emphasized their commitment to providing closure for the parents amid the prolonged uncertainty.

The jacket reportedly matching Medlin’s attire—a black jacket with red stripes, as described in initial missing person alerts—has intensified scrutiny of the river. If verified as belonging to the teen, it could represent a significant piece of physical evidence supporting the theory that he entered the water. Divers and specialized search teams have been deployed in the area, though harsh winter conditions, including cold temperatures and strong currents, complicate operations. No recovery has been announced, and authorities continue to treat the case as an active missing person investigation rather than a confirmed drowning.

Medlin’s family has voiced deep frustration with aspects of the probe. In media interviews, including appearances on local news and radio, parents Eva Yan and James Medlin have pushed back against speculation that the bridge footage and splash conclusively indicate suicide. They argue that their son was excited about potential plans that day and question why he would travel so far if his intent was self-harm. The family has also highlighted additional Roblox accounts they discovered, challenging police conclusions that the popular gaming platform played no role in his disappearance.

Early in the case, Medlin’s mother suggested he may have gone to Manhattan to meet someone he connected with via Roblox, a claim that gained traction in initial reports. However, Suffolk County Police, working with Roblox representatives, determined no link exists between online interactions on the platform and Medlin’s vanishing. Roblox has cooperated fully, issuing statements affirming their support for law enforcement while denying any connection.

Despite the official stance, the parents remain unconvinced. In one interview, the father mentioned finding three previously unknown Roblox accounts associated with their son, raising questions about what else might have been overlooked. They have urged authorities to explore all avenues thoroughly and continue appealing for public tips, including any sightings in the Canal Street, Manhattan Bridge, or Brooklyn areas between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on January 9.

Medlin is described as white, 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing about 130 pounds, with glasses. On the day he went missing, he wore a black jacket with red stripes, dark sweatpants with white stripes, and carried a black backpack. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children lists him as case number 2074244, with active alerts circulating nationwide.

The Manhattan Bridge, spanning the East River between Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, features elevated pedestrian walkways that offer panoramic views but also direct access to the water below. The structure sees heavy foot and vehicle traffic, yet gaps in coverage—combined with the timing of the splash—have fueled concern among investigators and the public alike.

Online communities, including dedicated missing persons forums and social media groups, have dissected the timeline extensively. Discussions range from hopeful theories of a runaway scenario to somber acknowledgments of the bridge’s tragic history involving individuals in distress. Experts in teen mental health and online interactions have commented generally on such cases, stressing the impulsivity that can affect adolescents and the need for robust platform safety measures, though they caution against speculation in this specific instance.

As the search drags on, the emotional toll on Medlin’s family is evident. Public statements convey a mix of anguish and determination, with pleas for continued vigilance and information. Reward offers have been mentioned for credible video or leads that could resolve the case.

Suffolk County detectives persist in reviewing additional footage from Manhattan locations, analyzing digital records, and pursuing leads. The absence of any criminal indicators keeps the focus on accidental or self-inflicted possibilities, but without physical recovery or definitive proof, questions linger.

The case highlights broader concerns about adolescent safety in urban settings and the challenges of piecing together a teen’s movements across digital and physical worlds. For now, the East River search represents the most active phase yet, with authorities and loved ones alike hoping for resolution—whether through a safe return or much-needed answers.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Suffolk County Police at (631) 852-2677 or the anonymous tip line at 800-222-TIPS. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children can also be reached for assistance.