On Saturday night (November 16th), in Vancouver, Washington, family and friends of a missing Chinese teenager gathered for a touching candlelight vigil for 16-year-old Tristan Huang, who has been missing since September. The vigil took place along the Columbia River, at the border of Washington and Oregon.
Tristan, who went missing on September 14th, has not been seen since leaving home that day. Local authorities and several charitable organizations have been searching for him tirelessly for over two months.
The candlelight vigil was a time for loved ones to share memories of Tristan and to appeal for continued assistance in finding him. Tristan’s mother described him as polite, respectful, and compassionate. She mentioned how he always treated others well and was a young man of noble character. Tristan was set to lead his high school band this year, a role he was excited and proud to take on.
The Vancouver police revealed that the last known sighting of the 16-year-old was at 4:20 AM on September 14th, walking towards the pedestrian walkway of the Glen Jackson Bridge, which spans the Columbia River connecting Oregon and Washington. Authorities suspect that Tristan may have jumped or fallen into the river.
Since Tristan’s disappearance, the non-profit organization Oregon’s Vanished has been organizing search efforts every other weekend. Founder Amy Walcott emphasized the challenges the volunteers face, as they need to use underwater cameras while boating on the Columbia River. Despite the difficulties, the organization remains committed to the search until Tristan is found.
A friend of Tristan’s, at the candlelight vigil, expressed disbelief in his death and believed he was being guided and protected. Until concrete evidence suggests otherwise, they refuse to give up hope.
Following the disappearance, the non-profit organization Oregon Chinese Coalition (OCC) and many concerned individuals have joined in the large-scale search efforts. A member of OCC took to Facebook a week after Tristan went missing, sharing that there was no evidence indicating he had jumped off the bridge. Speculating that his absence may be due to a moment of anger or loss of face, they stated hope for his safe return.
Tristan’s loved ones and the charitable organizations involved in the search have all vowed to continue their efforts until he is found. They remain determined and unwavering in their quest until Tristan is reunited with his family.