The community in Lockport, New York, is worried about Andrew Vaeth’s disappearance, which continues to trend in local discussions.
Andrew Vaeth, a 20-year-old forward for the Niagara County Community College (NCCC) Thunderwolves hockey team, has been missing since late at night on what appears to be a recent evening, based on family posts.
Video footage from the Cornerstone Ice Arena in Lockport, where Andrew works, shows him leaving the rink around 1 a.m.
His car was later found still parked nearby, but there was no sign of him. This behavior is completely out of character, according to his family and friends.
His aunt, Rene Weber Wrotniak, shared a heartfelt plea on Facebook:
“My 20-year-old nephew Andrew Vaeth is missing. Video footage shows him leaving the Cornerstone Ice Rink in Lockport (where he works) on video at 1 a.m. this morning. Please call the police if you have any information that may be helpful—please!!”
Via Facebook
Another family member, Gaye Miller Weber, provided more details about the search efforts.
Police brought in a bloodhound that picked up Andrew’s scent from his hockey equipment inside the arena.
The dog tracked it to Market Street, where the trail suddenly ended. The family hopes this means a friend picked him up, but they’re deeply concerned.
They noted that Andrew seemed to have planned to leave his car in the neighborhood, adding to the mystery.
They’re worried about who he might be with, if anyone, and are urging anyone with information to contact the Lockport Police immediately.
Friends have also spoken out. Renee Detschner posted about a mutual friend who saw Andrew at the rink that night.
By morning, he hadn’t come home, his car was still at the arena, and police were already involved.
She described it as out of character and said an official missing persons case would soon be active as it approached the 24-hour mark.
Read More-: Fired Ohio University Coach Brian Smith’s Divorce Allegations Not Behind His Dismissal, Attorney Says
Andrew’s sister, Maddie, has been sharing a missing poster on her Instagram stories. She wrote,
“Hello everyone, this is my brother Andrew Vaeth. He is missing. Was last seen at Corner Stone. Please contact me if u find anything.”
Via Instagram
In another post, she added,
“Thank you for everyone posting on their stories about my brother. It means a lot. He truly means a lot to me. Even if we didn’t talk from time to time, he is still my brother that I love.”
Via Instagram
Adding to the concern, Andrew’s phone is turned off and goes straight to voicemail.
On a brighter note, Andrew is known as a dedicated hockey player for the NCCC Thunderwolves, an AAU college hockey team.
He’s earned recognition as player of the game for standout performances, including in a matchup against St. John Fisher and the 2024 season opener.
As of now, no public updates indicate that Andrew has been found, and the search continues. Family and friends are praying for his safe return.
If you have any information, no matter how small, please reach out to the Lockport Police Department right away.
This situation is heartbreaking for everyone who knows Andrew. Sharing information widely could make all the difference in bringing him home safely.
