The Missing 
Arkadiy Tashman
Staten Island, New York

💙🛹 20 Years Without Answers: Help Bring Arkadiy “Ark” Tashman Home 

On the early morning of January 26, 2005, 17-year-old Arkadiy “Ark” Tashman disappeared after leaving a friend’s home in Staten Island, New York. He was last seen around 2:45 a.m., heading home, but he never arrived. His cellphone was left behind, and from that moment on, his family was thrust into a heartbreaking journey that has now lasted more than 20 years.

Arkadiy was an avid skateboarder with a contagious sense of humor and a compassionate heart. Those who loved him remember his beautiful blue-gray eyes, his quick wit, and his willingness to help anyone who needed it. Born in Russia, Arkadiy immigrated to the United States with his family in 1996 and spoke both Russian and English fluently. To his family, he wasn’t just “Ark” he was someone who filled every room with laughter.

When Arkadiy vanished, he was wearing a light gray hooded sweatshirt or sweat jacket, blue jeans, black sneakers, a green baseball cap, and a small hoop earring. He stood between 6’0″ and 6’2″, weighed approximately 170 to 180 pounds, had blond/brown hair, blue-gray eyes, scars on both arms, a pierced right ear, capped upper front teeth from an earlier injury, and healed fractures in both forearms from previous breaks.

Before disappearing, Arkadiy had been struggling emotionally following a breakup and left behind a brief note that deeply worried his family. Because of those circumstances, investigators classified him as an endangered missing person. Yet the people who knew him best have always said his disappearance was completely out of character. Despite immediate concern from his parents, an official search reportedly did not begin for several days. Since then, countless searches, media appeals, investigations, and tips have all led to the same painful reality, no answers.

For two decades, Arkadiy’s family has lived through unimaginable uncertainty. His sister, Natalya, has described the experience as an endless “roller coaster” of hope and heartbreak. Every new lead, every unidentified set of remains discovered, forces the family to wonder if this will finally be the moment they learn what happened. They have never stopped searching, never stopped remembering, and never stopped hoping for the truth.

Today, Arkadiy would be 38 years old. The NYPD has released age-progression images showing what he may look like as an adult, but no matter how much time has passed, someone may still recognize him or remember something that seemed insignificant years ago. Even the smallest piece of information could provide the answers his family has waited decades to receive.

If you know anything about the disappearance of Arkadiy “Ark” Tashman, no matter how small it may seem, please contact the New York City Police Department at 212-694-7781 or call 1-800-THE-LOST. 💙

Sources:

Have you seen this child? Arkadiy Tashman
Arkadiy Tashman – The Charley Project 
Stop Child Abuse – Arkadiy Tashman Missing Since 26 January 2005 From Staten Island, NY 
20 years after Staten Island teen disappeared, family hopes to end ‘roller coaster’ of uncertainty – silive.com 
Missing: Arkadiy Tashman | Staten Island, NY | Uncovered 
Missing Person / NamUs #MP5530 | NamUs 
Ark Tashman | International Missing Persons Wiki | Fandom 
America’s Most Wanted Fans