Fort Myers police hope tips help search for missing-endangered teen, possible witness

Reporter: Taylor Petras Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
alexander connolly
Alexander Connolly is 16 years old and considered missing and endangered in Fort Myers. Credit: FDLE

Investigators hope you can help bring a Southwest Florida teenager home.

Since Sunday, 16-year-old Alex Connolly of Fort Myers has been considered missing and endangered.

Brand-new clues Tuesday might help find him. He was last seen near the Windsor East Apartments in Fort Myers where he lives.

Fort Myers Police Department released new surveillance pictures to try to help find him. Investigators say the driver of a black or dark blue four-door car might be a witness in the case.

Surveillance image of a vehicle belonging to a possible witness in the area of Windsor East Apartments around the time of the disappearance of 16-year-old Alexander Connolly in Fort Myers Sunday, June 27, 2021. Credit: Shared with WINK News.

“But there’s a good chance that they don’t even know that the police are looking for them,” said Rich Kolko, WINK News Safety & Security Specialist.

The images are time stamped 8:30 a.m. Sunday, just 30 minutes after Connolly was reportedly last seen.

Kolko says police likely have intel to classify the child as missing and endangered.

“They might find that in their digital footprint, some emails, text messages, telephone calls, maybe even GPS tracking,” Kolko said. “Were there some messages that may determine this child was in danger? That causes police to put a little bit more rush on things.”

That’s why Kolko says police will use every resource they have.

But they still need the public’s help to find the driver of the car and Connolly.

“So that person out there in Fort Myers or in Southwest Florida may see that person, car, witness and call the police with that critical tip to help law enforcement to find them,” Kolko said.

FMPD says it had no updates on Connolly’s whereabouts Tuesday.

If you know anything about where he might be, you can call FMPD or 911.

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