Missing in Manhattan
Norwalk Police Conducting Investigation Into 40-Year-Old Unsolved Cold Case Disappearance of Eileen Jay
By Shawn R. Dagle
The Norwalk Police Department is conducting a cold case investigation into the disappearance of missing 27-year-old legal secretary Eileen Jay - who vanished in Manhattan in 1983.
Just days before her disappearance Jay had lost her job as a legal secretary for a company in South Norwalk and had either decided to move in with or stay with a friend who lived in Manhattan.
At the time of her disappearance press reports said that Jay was depressed about losing her job.
Early reports about Jay’s disappearance indicate that she left for Manhattan on February 8 while Norwalk police have said more recently that she left for the city on or about February 7 or 8.
There also are differing accounts regarding whether she intended to live or simply stay in Manhattan for a short period of time with Norwalk police saying more recently that she left her home in Norwalk to “visit” her friend who lived on West End Avenue (near 100th Street) in Manhattan. Earlier reports however at the time of her disappearance indicated that she had decided to move in with her friend in the city.
Regardless of her intention to live with her friend or visit Jay was last seen at her friend’s apartment on West End Avenue.
“She stayed with her friend for a few days but had left without saying where she was going and was not heard from or seen again,” Norwalk police explained this February.
According to a report in the Daily News at the time of her disappearance, Jay’s friend returned home from work on February 13 to find that Eileen had gone. She was never seen again.
Eileen and her roommate reportedly had not argued prior to her disappearance and Jay had not indicated that she intended on leaving.
Jay was believed to have been wearing a tweed suit and raincoat when she disappeared and may have been carrying a cylindrical tote bag. She was described as four feet, eleven inches tall and approximately 105 pounds.
Police in Manhattan notified Norwalk PD about Eileen’s disappearance and an investigation was conducted but no trace of Eileen appears to have ever been found.
On the 40th anniversary of Eileen’s disappearance this February Norwalk police announced that they are conducting a cold case investigation into Jay’s disappearance.
“Investigators are seeking the public’s help for any information which may assist in the discovering of Eileen’s whereabouts, including speaking with any person who may have known Eileen Jay,” said police.
For More Information on the Eileen’s Case Visit Our Youtube Page at: Cold Case Investigation Underway in Eileen Jay Disappearance
Anyone with information regarding Eileen or her disappearance is encouraged to contact Sgt. Steve Kalmanides of the Norwalk Police Department’s Detective Bureau at (203) 854-3017.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous can contact the Norwalk Police Tip Line at 203-854-3111, visit www.norwalkpd.com or contact police by text by typing "NORWALKPD" into the text field, then typing their message, and sending it to TIP411 (847411).
Sources
The Daily News “A Visitor to the City Takes Off” Jerry Schmetterer, March 20, 1983