It was meant to be just another day, but for the family of Jorge Santiago Martinez, the wait ended when hope finally gave way to heartbreak. The Manchester Police Department has confirmed that the body recovered in the Merrimack River last month has been identified as Jorge, who had been missing since the early hours of June 8, 2025.
Jorge was last seen leaving a gathering with friends and family on the night of June 7. The next morning, in the predawn hours of June 8, he was captured on surveillance walking west on the Granite Street Bridge in Manchester. His sudden disappearance sent family and friends into action—they organized searches, shared his photo across social media, and clung to hope for his safe return.
That hope began to fade on Oct. 26, when hunters discovered a body in the Merrimack River, some miles from the bustle of downtown Manchester. Authorities confirmed the identity through dental records and noted that, based on the ongoing investigation by the New Hampshire State Police and marine patrol units, the death does not currently appear to be suspicious.
In a public statement, Manchester Police expressed their deepest condolences to Jorge’s family and thanked the community for its support—particularly those who shared leads, offered ideas, or helped scan the area over the past months. The sense of loss is palpable: a gentle spirit gone, a young life cut short without clear answers yet.
Friends remember Jorge as warm, kind-hearted, someone whose presence lit up a room. He valued time with loved ones, and his sudden absence created a hole in the lives of everyone who knew him. Now, in the quiet aftermath, what remains is a tender memory and the quiet ache of “what if”. Though the details are still under investigation, the official word is clear: Jorge is gone.
For the people of Manchester and the wider region who followed this story with hope—this is a reminder of fragility, and of how quickly the unexpected can move in. The police investigation is still ongoing, and no foul play has been publicly alleged at this time.
To Jorge’s family: the words “rest in peace” feel too small. For all who knew him, his memory will live on—not in headlines or hashtags, but in the quiet moments, the laughter he brought, the small kindnesses he offered. His light remains, even if his physical presence does not.
May Jorge Santiago Martinez find peace, and may those who loved him find some measure of comfort in the months ahead.
