A 19-year-old teen from Port Richmond, Staten Island, posted to Instagram just moments before jumping off the Staten Island Ferry on Friday evening, according to a report by the Staten Island Advance.
The young man, identified as Jose Larin-Garcia, was a student from Curtis High School and a resident of Port Richmond.
Witnesses told police they saw him climbing the railing of the ferry and then jumping into the New York Harbor while the ferry was making its way to Manhattan.
According to sources close to the investigation, the teen posted something emotional on his Instagram story just before the incident occurred.
The content of the post has not been publicly confirmed, but those familiar with the case say it indicated distress.
Emergency services immediately responded. The ferry’s captain contacted the U.S. Coast Guard, NYPD Harbor Unit, and FDNY Marine Unit right after the jump was reported. Divers searched the water around the area, but as of Monday morning, Larin-Garcia had not been found.
According to witnesses, the ferry crew threw life rings into the water and tried to assist, but there was no sign of him after he went under. “They did everything they could, but he disappeared fast,” said one passenger.
Family and friends gathered at the terminal over the weekend, hoping for updates and answers. Many shared memories of Jose, describing him as a “quiet but kind person” who had recently been going through a tough time. “He didn’t talk about it much, but something was bothering him,” said a friend from school.
Authorities are currently treating this as a missing person case, although the chances of survival are becoming slimmer as time passes. Water temperatures and currents in the harbor make extended survival unlikely, according to rescue officials.
The ferry continued normal service after the incident, but the NYPD has increased patrols at the ferry terminals, especially during evening hours.
A spokesperson for the NYPD stated that the department is also reviewing security footage from the ferry and interviewing witnesses to understand exactly what happened.
While no suicide note was found, officials say the Instagram post may help them understand the teen’s state of mind at the time. Investigators are in touch with Instagram’s parent company, Meta, to retrieve any data that may assist in the case.
Mental health experts have raised concerns about young people expressing distress on social media and not getting timely help.
“It’s another tragic reminder that many youths are suffering silently,” said Dr. Emily Reed, a New York-based psychologist. She added that social media often reflects the mental state of teens, but many posts go unnoticed or are misunderstood.
Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella commented on the incident, saying, “This is a heartbreaking moment for our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jose’s family. We must do more to support mental health services for our youth.”
The Department of Education also issued a statement, confirming that counseling would be available to students at Curtis High School this week.
“We are deeply saddened by this news and are working to ensure students and staff have the support they need,” the statement read.
As the search continues, Jose’s family has asked for privacy. They are working with the NYPD and Coast Guard as the investigation unfolds.
If confirmed, this will be the second person to jump from the Staten Island Ferry in less than a year. In both cases, the incidents involved young individuals and prompted discussions around mental health support.
For now, the community waits and hopes for a miracle. Friends have begun sharing messages online in memory of Jose, calling for more awareness about youth mental health and the importance of checking in on loved ones.