A Journey Interrupted

On June 6, 2020, 17-year-old Joseph Rosa and his father, Thomas Rosa, embarked on a journey from Orlando, Florida, to Reynosa, Mexico. Traveling in a red GMC pickup truck, their route took them through McAllen, Texas. However, they never reached their destination, and both have been missing since that day. 

Clues Along the Way

In the days following their disappearance, a few clues emerged. A credit card associated with the Rosas was used at a Whataburger in Hidalgo, Texas, suggesting they made it that far. Additionally, their red GMC truck was found abandoned in McAllen, Texas. Perhaps most concerning, Thomas Rosa's phone was discovered by a stranger in Mexico. Despite these findings, no further information about their whereabouts has surfaced. 

A Family's Desperate Search

The Rosa family, particularly Joseph's sister, Cinthya Hernandez, has been relentless in their search for answers. Facing limited assistance from authorities, they took matters into their own hands, even launching a GoFundMe campaign to cover expenses related to the search, including travel to Mexico and expedited passport processing. Their determination underscores the emotional toll and financial burden that families of missing persons often endure. 

Official Investigations and Jurisdictional Challenges

The case has been complicated by jurisdictional issues. Despite the disappearance occurring near the Texas-Mexico border, the Long Branch Police Department in New Jersey is listed as the primary agency handling the case, possibly due to the family's residence. This has raised concerns about the coordination and effectiveness of the investigation, especially given the cross-border nature of the disappearance. ...Read More