The family of a missing 16-year-old girl from Fremont, California, is seeking answers amid their desperate search for her. Katie Hong was last seen on July 25, after she left a note indicating that she was running away to potentially meet online friends she knew only by their screen names. Police shared surveillance footage showing her walking from her home to Irvington Community Park, which marks the last confirmed sighting of her.
The police stated that there is no evidence indicating that Hong had met these individuals in person before her disappearance. Her family describes her as a bright and caring young woman, emphasizing that she does not need to feel any disappointment towards them, as her father reassured her: “We are not disappointed with her. Yes, she made a mistake. But everyone does.”
As the search continues, the family has initiated a GoFundMe page to raise funds for private investigators, legal costs, and counseling for her sister. The campaign highlights Katie’s vibrant spirit, noting that her smile lights up every room. Additionally, both of Katie’s parents are deaf, and her father is employed at the California School for the Deaf, where classmates and staff have joined in the search efforts.
According to police, the last record of Hong’s phone was at Irvington Community Park, where they believe she may have left it. Authorities are still working to identify the people she intended to meet, and they classify her as voluntarily missing based on current evidence. They encourage anyone with information to contact their investigations unit or tip line, urging that “she is at-risk missing based on current circumstances.”
This unfortunate situation highlights the challenges faced by families of missing children and the vital importance of community support in such difficult times. As hope remains for her safe return, efforts to locate Katie continue, and awareness around the importance of internet safety and communication with young people grows.
The Fremont Police Department remains actively engaged in the search and is committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding Hong’s disappearance. Anyone with relevant information is urged to come forward, underscoring the collaborative efforts required to bring her home safely.