Body of missing 7-year-old Harbe Nagi found in Menands, N.Y.
The body of Harbe Nagi, a missing child near Albany, was found dead Tuesday morning in Menands, New York, according to his uncle Hamtramck Mayor Adam Alharbi, who confirmed the devastating news in a Facebook post. The nonverbal 7-year-old with autism had vanished from a family graduation party on Sunday afternoon. A massive multi-day search across neighborhoods, woods, and nearby lakes ended in tragedy after volunteers and emergency crews combed the Albany-area village for days.
Key Takeaways
- Harbe Nagi, 7, was reported missing around 4:20 p.m. Sunday after wandering from a graduation party on Park Place in Menands.
- His uncle, Hamtramck Mayor Adam Alharbi, flew from Michigan to join the search and announced Tuesday that Harbe had been found deceased.
- Rescue crews used drones, K9 teams, helicopters, and even an ice cream truck during the hunt for the barefoot, nonverbal child.
- Park Drive remained closed with crime scene tape as law enforcement gathered Tuesday; police had not released new details at last report.
- During the search, authorities said they did not suspect foul play in the disappearance, though the circumstances of his death were not yet known.
Who Was Harbe Nagi?
Harbe Nagi was a 7-year-old boy described by police as autistic and nonverbal. Authorities said he stood approximately 3 feet 7 inches tall and was last seen wearing a light-colored T-shirt, dark pants, and no shoes.
According to NEWS10 ABC, Harbe's family moved to the United States in February, and Arabic is the primary language spoken at home. Menands Police Lt. Kevin Schwebke said the child was known to wander and explore, with strong interests in water, the outdoors, climbing, and music — especially "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."
His uncle, Adam Alharbi, serves as mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan. Alharbi told reporters he boarded the first available flight from Michigan to Albany on Monday to help search for his nephew.
How Did the Search for the Missing Child Unfold?
Harbe was last seen near Park Drive in Menands on Sunday, roughly 10 minutes before a 911 call came in at 4:23 p.m., according to NEWS10 ABC. Investigators believe he wandered away from the family gathering on his own — a pattern police noted is more common among children with autism.
The search quickly expanded across the Albany-area village. Volunteers, nearby residents, and multiple agencies joined family members in combing wooded areas and lakes, including Little's Lake. Tactics ranged from standard ground teams to drones, K9 units, helicopters, and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers.
One unusual approach involved deploying an ice cream truck, hoping its familiar music might draw the boy out if he was hiding nearby. The family also offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to Harbe's safe return.
What Did Harbe Nagi's Family Say?
On Tuesday morning, Alharbi posted a devastating update on Facebook, as reported by WNYT NewsChannel 13: "Update regarding Harbe: We are devastated to share that he has been found deceased. Thank you to everyone who helped in the search."
Before the discovery, Alharbi had described the ordeal as "very devastating" for the parents and extended family. "We're just hoping that he's alive and safe and in good condition," he told NEWS10 ABC on Monday evening, more than 24 hours after Harbe disappeared.
ClickOnDetroit reported that authorities had previously warned Harbe might need medical attention, given his age, autism, and the fact he was believed to be barefoot when he vanished.
What Happens Next in the Investigation?
WNYT reported that Park Drive in Menands was shut down Tuesday with yellow crime scene tape keeping the public away. A heavier law enforcement presence was visible at the scene, though police had not provided new official information at the time of reporting.
During the active search, police told media they did not suspect foul play in the child's disappearance. However, as BlasterPost's True Crime coverage notes in similar cases, the circumstances surrounding a missing child's death typically remain under investigation until autopsy results and further interviews are complete.
ClickOnDetroit reported that the circumstances surrounding Harbe's death were not known as of Tuesday. This remains a developing story, and officials are expected to release more details as the investigation continues.