The quiet morning routine of Hicksville, a suburban neighborhood nestled in Nassau County, Long Island, was disrupted by unsettling news that has since sent ripples of anxiety through not just the local community, but across boroughs and professional circles in Manhattan.
Mark Boehrer, 56, a well-known human resources director at The Brearley School—an elite private all-girls institution on the Upper East Side of New York City—vanished without a trace on the morning of Monday, April 28, 2025. What began as a typical weekday has now escalated into a full-scale missing person investigation with family, friends, law enforcement, and members of his professional network frantically searching for answers.
According to surveillance footage and eyewitness statements, Mark Boehrer was last seen at approximately 6:45 a.m. on Monday at the Hicksville Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station, boarding a train presumably en route to Manhattan, as he had done countless times before. He was dressed in tan khaki pants, a long-sleeved blue shirt, and a vest—a familiar professional attire that friends say reflects his consistent and meticulous nature.
But something that morning was very different. Boehrer never made it to work.
His family grew concerned when they failed to hear from him by late morning, a departure from his normally reliable communication habits. When repeated calls and text messages went unanswered and he failed to arrive at The Brearley School, the family notified police.
Mark Boehrer is described as a Caucasian male, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds, with short-cropped salt-and-pepper hair, and typically wearing glasses. A recent photograph has been widely circulated by both the family and law enforcement officials in hopes that someone might recognize him and come forward with information.
Anyone with potential leads is being urged to contact the Nassau County Police Department’s Missing Person Squad at 516-573-7347. Officials are treating the case as a priority and have emphasized that even the smallest detail could be pivotal in tracing Boehrer’s whereabouts.
Who Is Mark Boehrer? A Profile of the Missing Man
To understand the gravity of this disappearance, one needs to understand who Mark Boehrer is—not only as a missing person but as a respected figure in both his community and profession.
Boehrer has spent more than a decade serving as Director of Human Resources at The Brearley School, a prestigious institution founded in 1884 and known for cultivating academic excellence among generations of young women in New York City. In his role, Boehrer was instrumental in staff hiring, conflict resolution, and fostering workplace equity—a quiet force behind the scenes who helped shape the culture of the school.
Colleagues describe him as “steadfast,” “empathetic,” and “highly principled.” Though his job did not require regular interactions with students or their families, his presence was deeply felt in the hallways, in meetings, and in the broader community of Brearley employees.
“He’s the kind of person you could go to with a difficult issue, and you’d always come away feeling heard and supported,” said a teacher who asked to remain anonymous. “This disappearance is completely out of character for him.”
School and Institutional Response
In a statement issued the day after his disappearance, Jane Fried, the Head of School at Brearley, confirmed that the administration is in close contact with Boehrer’s family and is actively cooperating with law enforcement.
“We are in touch with Mark’s family and are cooperating fully with authorities as they investigate his disappearance,” Fried said. “Mark is a wonderful colleague and a valued member of our community. While he may not have interacted directly with students, many of us are concerned for his welfare and for his family. I ask everyone to keep the Boehrer family in their thoughts during this challenging time.”
Inside the school building, anxiety and sadness have taken root. Staff meetings now include updates about the case. Posters with Boehrer’s photo and contact information for the Missing Person Squad are pinned to bulletin boards. A temporary counseling station has been set up for employees and faculty affected by the news.
Family Speaks Out: “This Is Not Like Him”
The Boehrer family, stunned by the sudden disappearance, is struggling to come to terms with the situation. Speaking through a family friend, Boehrer’s sister said:
“Mark is a responsible, thoughtful, and deeply committed person. He would never vanish without letting someone know. We are frightened and hoping someone, somewhere, saw something that can help.”
Friends of the family have launched a social media campaign under the hashtag #FindMarkBoehrer, with hundreds of shares across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). A digital flyer, complete with physical descriptors, last known location, and a direct tip line, is being distributed in both digital and print formats.
The Investigation: What Authorities Know So Far
The Nassau County Police Department has confirmed that an active missing person investigation is ongoing. A spokesperson for the department revealed that detectives have reviewed surveillance footage from the Hicksville station and nearby streets. While some footage shows Boehrer entering the station, there is, as of now, no clear confirmation that he boarded the train.
“Until we have proof that he got on that train or arrived at Penn Station, we are exploring all possibilities,” the spokesperson said.
Police have also reached out to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to access surveillance data from the LIRR train that departed Hicksville at 6:51 a.m. that morning. They are also interviewing passengers, reviewing cell phone records, and requesting security footage from Penn Station and nearby areas.
There is no indication of foul play at this stage, but detectives are not ruling anything out.
A Broader Pattern? Comparisons to Other Cases
Though no direct connection has been established, some observers have pointed out that Boehrer’s disappearance bears superficial resemblance to other missing person cases involving middle-aged professionals in the New York City area. In recent years, several cases have involved individuals disappearing during commutes—some later found to have suffered mental health crises, while others remain unresolved.
Still, investigators have stated that each case must be evaluated on its own merits, and have cautioned against speculation.
Psychological Toll: The Human Cost of Waiting
For Boehrer’s loved ones, the days since his disappearance have been marked by uncertainty, fear, and a gnawing sense of helplessness.
Psychologists who study the trauma experienced by families of missing persons describe it as “ambiguous loss”—a term coined to reflect the unique torment of not knowing whether someone is alive or dead, safe or in danger.
“It’s one of the most painful psychological states a person can experience,” said Dr. Elaine Marston, a trauma psychologist based in Brooklyn. “There is no closure, and the mind alternates between hope and dread, making it difficult to process emotions or return to daily life.”
Community Mobilization: Volunteers and Support Efforts
In the days following Boehrer’s disappearance, community members began organizing search efforts, including flyer distribution at train stations along the LIRR, canvassing neighborhoods, and coordinating with volunteer search organizations.
Local clergy have also stepped in. A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Thursday evening at a nearby park in Hicksville. Members of Boehrer’s synagogue have offered logistical and emotional support, including meals for the family, child care, and transportation.
Media Involvement and Social Media Amplification
Major local news outlets, including Newsday, ABC7NY, and CBS New York, have picked up the story, adding critical visibility to the case. True crime podcasters and missing persons forums have also started to circulate the story, including Reddit’s popular r/UnresolvedMysteries thread.
A local volunteer group specializing in missing adults, Long Island Search and Rescue, has reportedly offered their services to aid in the effort.
A Respected Career and Unanswered Questions
Boehrer’s professional background also includes prior roles in corporate HR for major companies in New York. A Columbia University graduate, Boehrer had been considered a thoughtful leader and advocate for staff wellness, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives, and ethical leadership. He had no known enemies or legal issues, and according to friends, he had been in “good spirits” in the days prior to his disappearance.
What Comes Next: Continuing the Search
At the moment, investigators continue to follow up on leads, including reviewing credit card transactions, toll booth records, and phone pings. The family is hoping that releasing more information will jog someone’s memory.
There are still many unanswered questions:
- Did he actually board the train that day?
- If so, what happened between Hicksville and Manhattan?
- If not, where did he go?
How You Can Help
If you or someone you know has seen Mark Boehrer or has any information regarding his disappearance, no matter how insignificant it may seem, you are urged to contact
