According to the New York Post, Yohanes Kidane, a 22-year-old Netflix engineer, was reported missing following an Uber trip on August 14 in San Jose, California.
Kidane is 5’8, Black, and weighs approximately 150 lbs.
He was last seen wearing grey sweatpants, a black hoodie, and black shoes, entering a black Toyota Camry.
The young Netflix engineer had recently relocated to San Jose from New York City.
A recent graduate from Cornell University, Kidane had been with Netflix for merely a week before his disappearance.
The alarm was raised when Kidane’s phone location remained static near the Golden Gate Bridge on the day he went missing.
His colleagues indicated he might have been heading to San Francisco.
Subsequent discoveries included Kidane’s phone and wallet near a coffee shop on August 15.
The next day, authorities found his backpack, laptop, and personal documents near the Golden Gate Bridge.
Days before his disappearance, Kidane had shared an unsettling Uber experience with his former college roommates.
Austin Farmer, one of the roommates, recounted to the media how Kidane was taken to Oakland against his wishes by a potentially dubious Uber driver.
Kidane had even texted Farmer during this ride, hinting at potential danger.
Kidane’s family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to aid in the search efforts, which has amassed $86,000 as of August 23.
The funds will support the family’s search and cover travel, private investigators, and legal assistance.
Kidane’s mother, Mehret Hana Beyene, was grateful for the support.
“We cannot express enough gratitude for any help you can provide. We want to take him home. I need my son. He’s a good man who has a bright future, very loving to his family.”
Anyone with pertinent information is encouraged to contact the San Jose Police Department at (408) 277-8900, referencing case number 23-227-0531.
The family can also be contacted at (585) 489-4880 or (585) 500-5220.
