Crime & Safety

Neighbors Form Search Parties to Find Missing Dad

Robert Mayer's wife and sister embraced each other Friday morning, as tears streamed down their cheeks, before friends and neighbors embarked on a search party to find the missing local man.

"We were talking about our son's concert the next day, which he never would have missed. Then he said goodbye, I love you," Ida Mayer recalled. That was the last she heard from her husband, who never returned to their Dix Hills home from his job in Brooklyn June 14.

Mayer tearfully said that she and her two children, who attend Commack schools, are devastated by what has happened.

"It’s been horrible for his family. His children are distraught - the entire family. My mother can’t even leave her apartment. It’s terrible," Christine Ellis, Robert's sister said.

Groups of neighbors and family friends scoured the woods near the Deer Park train station, where his car was found, throughout the day. They were hoping to find a clue as to where Robert might be, but despite efforts, no evidence has turned up.

Police have not given details on the case, as it is an ongoing investigation, but said they don't believe a crime was committed.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.