The discovery
A local Long Island high school track team was getting their miles in at Plandome Pond Park in Manhasset this past Thursday when things took a major turn. Around 5:45 p.m., a student—who is also an Eagle Scout—spotted skeletal remains in the brush while running near the train tracks, according to the Nassau County Police Department.
Solving a missing persons case?
Police are currently investigating if the remains belong to 79-year-old Shi Hua Xu, a grandmother who went missing from her home in nearby Great Neck back in December 2025. Xu, who lives with dementia, had been the subject of a desperate search for nearly a year after she disappeared during one of her regular walks.
At the time she went missing, Xu was not wearing her tracker. While the medical examiner is still waiting on formal DNA testing to confirm the identity, the family has already recognized a piece of clothing found at the scene as belonging to her.
What this means for you
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder confirmed that authorities do not believe the situation to be criminal in nature. As for the student who found the remains, Plandome Heights Mayor Kenneth Riscica noted the teen is holding up well, saying, “I only hope this brings closure to a family that lost someone.” It’s honestly so heavy, but hopefully, this finally gives the family the answers they’ve been searching for.
Why it matters
This discovery marks a potential end to a year-long ordeal for the Xu family. While it’s a sad situation, the fact that a random find by a student could provide closure is a major moment for the community.
