The family of 15-year-old Thomas Medlin, the Long Island teenager who vanished on January 9, 2026, has come forward with a heartbreaking revelation that adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing search. In an official statement, they confirmed that Thomas had been prescribed and taking antidepressant medication for an extended period. More disturbingly, in the hours leading up to his disappearance, the boy gathered every single pill from his supply and left nothing behind.

Thomas, a student at Stony Brook School, left campus abruptly that Friday afternoon, rushing to catch a train into Manhattan. Surveillance footage captured him at Grand Central Station later that evening, appearing calm and purposeful. His trail then led to the pedestrian walkway of the Manhattan Bridge, where he was last definitively seen. Authorities have noted additional video evidence nearby, but the family insists their son showed no outward signs of severe distress or suicidal intent in the days prior.

According to close relatives, Thomas had recently returned from a family holiday and seemed in good spirits overall. The antidepressants were part of managing ongoing mental health challenges, something the family described as a private, long-term treatment rather than a sudden crisis. Yet the fact that he deliberately collected and took all the medication with him – without leaving any trace at home – has raised urgent questions. Was this a desperate act tied to his sudden decision to leave? Or could it point to something more calculated, perhaps influenced by external factors?

The disappearance initially sparked widespread speculation after the family suggested Thomas may have traveled to meet someone he connected with through the popular online game Roblox. His mother expressed deep concern that this online interaction could have played a role, though police have stated they found no concrete evidence linking the platform directly to his vanishing. The family has repeatedly pushed back against assumptions of self-harm, emphasizing that Thomas was not “distraught” and had given no clear warning signs.

As weeks pass with no new sightings or contact, the search effort continues across New York authorities and community volunteers. The revelation about the antidepressants has intensified calls for anyone with information to come forward – particularly if they saw a teenager matching his description (5’4″, around 130 pounds, wearing a black jacket with red stripes, dark sweatpants, glasses, and carrying a black backpack) in the city that night.

Thomas’s loved ones remain hopeful, pleading for his safe return and urging the public not to jump to conclusions. They describe a boy who was loved deeply, not in trouble, and simply needing to be found. The mystery deepens with each passing day: Why take every pill? What drove him to leave everything behind? Until answers emerge, the case of Thomas Medlin stands as a stark reminder of the hidden struggles teens can face – and the desperate need for vigilance in an increasingly connected world.