Family pleads for help in locating missing woman with autism

NEW YORK (PIX 11) — A family on Roosevelt Island is pleading for the public's help to find their missing daughter, 21-year-old Markeysha Sadlier, who they said went missing last Friday.

Markeysha's parents, Dan and Amanda Sadlier told PIX11 News that their daughter has no history of running away and she left her cell phone behind the morning she went missing, which is unlike her. They said they have been in constant anguish ever since, as they worry for her safety.

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"We had a great Halloween," Amanda said. "She and a friend of hers sat right here watching scary movies and passing out candy to kids and then in the morning we woke up and she was gone."

The couple, who adopted Markeysha years ago, said she lives with autism and underwent brain surgery earlier this year. She hasn't taken her medication since she went missing, making her disappearance all the more urgent.

"Really crucial meds for her to be balanced and to think as clearly as she can," said Dan. "So we're scared for her."

Her distressed parents are now concerned that she may be in danger after learning she'd been messaging a stranger online the day before she went missing.

"It's looking like there was some chatting happening online with strangers and so we're very concerned that she's potentially with someone that she doesn't necessarily want to be with right now," Amanda said.

The family has worked tirelessly with police and the community to spread the word, posting these flyers and searching the neighborhood.

Markeysha's parents said police alerted them that her metro card was swiped twice on Friday, but there hasn't been a single trace of her since then.

Investigators said she was last seen wearing black jeans, a blue jacket, white sneakers, and a brown purse. Anyone with information on Markeysha's whereabouts is asked to call police.