Search for Zakaria Chowdhury, missing from Holystone nearing two weeks, prompts plea from his mother for his safe return.
On February 7th, Zak left home early and took a taxi from Asda to the Centre for Life. He sent a photo of a bridge to friends, but no one knows what happened after that. Searches have not found him yet.
Zak’s mom, Shimul, says he is a kind guy who seemed sad before he vanished. She didn’t think he would disappear, and police keep an open mind about his case.
He was chatting with friends that morning, before he left home earlier. He said he was going to the gym, which his mom said wasn’t unusual.
He didn’t go to the gym, though, and instead took a cab towards Newcastle. He left home around 1:23 AM, and Shimul said he seemed down that Monday.
Zak was last seen on February 7th in Newcastle city center. He was talking with friends via video call, acting happy and saying, “Stay on.” He mentioned going to the gym.
Shimul usually wakes up when Zak leaves and when he returns. However, she slept soundly that night and did not wake.
Police knocked on her door at 4:15 AM and, seeing Zak’s bedroom door wide open, told her Zak might be missing. She felt shocked and didn’t believe it.
Police said cameras showed Zak on the bridge, but they haven’t seen him come off it. Shimul feels upset because they don’t know what happened and expected more from the police.
She knows Zak might be in the river but still hopes he is safe. She questioned how he could just “vanish” on the High Level Bridge.
She feels the police response isn’t good enough and said, “How can a person vanish?” They took his phone away last Monday, and she is still waiting for news.
Police have taken information from the phone, but a full check can take a long time. They are using “all resources” to find him.
Shimul worries because Zak trusts people. He is twenty and sees the good in people, so she protects her kids from the world’s cruelty. He does not use drugs or alcohol.
His mom wants him to know they love him and hopes he comes home safe. They all miss him very much, she spoke on Tuesday after two weeks.
Zak is Asian and about six feet tall. He is slim and has dark hair, and he wore a blue hooded top with gold stripes, black joggers, and black trainers. He has connections in Whitley Bay and Sunderland. Zak studies computer science at Sunderland University.
Police continue to investigate and use all resources to find Zak. They are open to new information and support Zak’s family. They want any new information on him.
Anyone with information should contact the police. You can message them on social media, use the live chat on their website, and submit dashcam footage through their portal. You can also call 101, quoting NP-20250207-0087.