Theodore Rourke Missing Person Case

Jan 13, 2025

Jan 14, 2025

Theodore

Rourke

44

43

68 inches

140 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the winter of 2024, concern mounted for 43-year-old Theodore A. Rourke, a resident of the Bedford Park neighborhood in the Bronx. His mother, Judith Leavitt, who lives in Riverhead, grew worried after her last contact with him in the middle of December. This lack of communication prompted her to officially report him missing on January 9 of the following year. Authorities noted that Rourke was last seen in the vicinity of his home at 2700 Marion Avenue in the Bronx during the mid-to-late part of December 2024. The New York City Police Department later specified that he was seen leaving his residence at approximately 8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, wearing a blue jacket and blue jeans. Theodore is described as a white male, standing 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and weighing about 140 pounds, with balding brown hair. He had been living in the Bronx for roughly seven years and reportedly has no connections to Long Island. While authorities have stated that no foul play is suspected in his disappearance, it is known that Rourke has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, a detail that adds to the urgency and concern for his well-being. His mother's report initiated an investigation by the Riverhead Town Police Department, and the NYPD later joined the effort, amplifying the public appeal for information. The search for Theodore Rourke became a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies and the public. Both the Riverhead Police Department and the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline issued calls for anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to come forward, assuring that all tips would be treated with confidentiality. The case is a distressing example of the fears faced by families of those with mental health challenges. The sudden silence from a man who had maintained contact with his mother, coupled with the known risks associated with his diagnosis, created a situation demanding immediate attention and community awareness. The overview of this case highlights a vulnerable individual disappearing from his familiar surroundings, prompting a significant response from both his family and law enforcement.

Dec 15, 2024

West Bronx

New York

Bronx County

West Bronx

No

161886

Riverhead Police Department

Riverhead

New York

Suffolk County

11901

Patrick McDermott

Detective Sergeant

210 Howell Avenue, New York

6317274500

County

Law Enforcement

https://www.townofriverheadny.gov/pview.aspx?id=16988

25002017

2025-01-09

Riverhead Police Department

44

Brown

Brown

Brown

Yes

09/09/2026