Hunt for missing NYC doctor, 44, who 'vanished without a trace' eight days ago after an early morning walk at park with her mom
A search is underway in New York City to find a doctor who ‘vanished without a trace’ more than a week ago after a morning walk in a park with her mother, police say.
Tamara Saukin, 44, of Staten Island, had been partaking in one of her daily strolls through Cloves Lake Park, in Sunnyside, when she disappeared at around 6:30am on November 18.
Moments earlier, her mother had reportedly told her she was returning to her car, but Saukin said she wanted to continue walking.
Saukin and her mother then headed separate ways and Saukin hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
Tamara Saukin, 44, of Staten Island, has been missing for eight days having last been seen alive during a family walk through Cloves Lake Park
Police have intensified their search for Saukin in the park in recent days, with scuba divers scouring lakes
‘She disappeared without a trace,’ an anonymous NYPD source told Staten Island Live, adding that so far police have no solid leads as to her whereabouts at this time.
Missing posted of Saukin have been put up around the park, but police so far have no concrete leads in the case
Investigators have said there are no signs of foul play at this time.
The search for Saukin has intensified in Cloves Lake park in recent days, with scuba divers seen scouring through waters and K-9 units combing through wooded areas throughout the week.
Missing persons posters with photographs of Saukin have also been spread throughout the area.
Saukin was known to suffer from alcoholism and has expressed suicidal thoughts in the past, according to police. Part of her routine was to walk with her family through the park.
She held a family medicine practise in Grant City until October 9, when ‘due to unforeseen circumstances,’ she temporarily withdrew from the practise of medicine, Saukin told her patients in a letter obtained by SILive.
Late last month, Saukin also changed her employment status on Facebook to ‘self-employed’.
When quizzed by a friend as to ‘what’s going on?’, Saukin replied: ‘Family issues. Thanks much for asking.’
Saukin held a family medicine practise in Grant City until October 9, when ‘due to unforeseen circumstances,’ she temporarily withdrew from the practise of medicine
In a employment status change post on Facebook, Saukin said the move was driven by 'family issues'
A special investigations unit is seen in the above image combing through a wooded area of the park
Several former patients and friends have voiced shock over her disappearance on social media, wishing for her safe return.
‘These are such hard times for many of us. Sometimes it’s just easier to get away and find yourself again. I’m hoping that you’re simply taking this time to gather strength for life’s next journey,’ wrote Cara Buonincontri. ‘Reach out anytime and I pray that you are safe.’
Diane McCarthy added: ‘Praying you are safe and we will see your beautiful face again soon.’
Family members so far have declined to speak publicly on the incident, as a police investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS
Family members so far have declined to speak publicly on the incident, as a police investigation remains ongoing
NYPD officers and helicopters have been spotted searched the Cloves Lake Park area throughout the week, and along the shore lines.
Saukin was last seen wearing a brown jacket, black leggings and pink sneakers, the NYPD said.
Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.
The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential.