Harbe Nagi, 7, was found Tuesday morning in a pool two houses from where he disappeared.
MENANDS, NY — A 7-year-old boy who disappeared from a family gathering in Menands on Sunday was found dead Tuesday morning in a neighboring pool, ending a two-day search that drew police, forest rangers, firefighters, volunteers and residents.
Menands police identified the boy as Harbe Nagi, a nonspeaking child with autism who had been reported missing from Park Drive late Sunday afternoon. Officials said the circumstances remain under investigation, and they had not released a cause of death as of Tuesday. Police previously said they did not suspect foul play but were checking all possibilities as search crews moved through the village and nearby wooded areas.
Harbe was last seen around 4:20 p.m. Sunday near Park Drive, where family members said he had been visiting friends with his mother. A missing child alert was issued Sunday night, and search teams worked through the night and into Monday. Menands Police Lt. Kevin Schwebke said Monday that investigators believed Harbe may have wandered off. “There is no indication anyone was involved in his disappearance, but all possibilities are currently being investigated,” Schwebke said. Police said Harbe did not live in Menands and that his family had moved earlier this year to the Guilderland area.
The search quickly widened from the neighborhood around Park Drive to Sage Estates Woods, nearby streets, yards, sheds, pools and small bodies of water. The Menands Fire Department, New York State Police, DEC forest rangers, K9 teams, drone crews and underwater recovery teams joined the effort. Officials also used sounds they thought might draw Harbe out, including an ice cream truck and the song “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” which relatives said he liked. Harbe was described as 3 feet, 7 inches tall and 48 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light-colored T-shirt, dark pants and no shoes.
Family members and neighbors spent Monday checking properties and walking the area as police asked residents to review yards, garages, outbuildings, water features and surveillance video. State Forest Ranger Charles Kabrehl said Monday that the search covered “a very wide area” and involved trained professionals and volunteers. Menands Mayor Brian Marsh also asked people not to spread unconfirmed reports or enter search areas in ways that could slow investigators. Officials said Harbe was known to like the outdoors and water, and family members said he had wandered before, though not for this long.
The case turned Tuesday morning when police activity increased on Park Drive. Officials said Harbe was found around 8 a.m. in a pool two houses from the place where he was last seen. Police blocked part of the street during the investigation, and family members gathered near the scene as officers examined the area. Schwebke later thanked the agencies and residents who had joined the search. “We want to express our condolences and appreciation for everybody that came out and helped in the search efforts,” he said. “Obviously, we are extremely saddened by the results.”
Harbe’s uncle, Adam Alharbi, who is mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, traveled to New York after the boy disappeared and served as a family spokesman. He had announced a $10,000 reward while the search was underway. After Harbe was found, Alharbi said the family was devastated and thanked everyone who helped. Relatives said Harbe’s home language was Arabic, and police had asked anyone who found him during the search to speak softly because he could become overwhelmed.
Authorities said the investigation will continue while officials wait for more information, including autopsy findings. Marsh said Tuesday that the village would keep pursuing the facts and asked the public to avoid speculation while investigators complete their work. Police had not announced charges or accused anyone of wrongdoing as of Tuesday afternoon. The next official updates are expected after investigators review the scene, records and medical findings.
The search left a quiet residential stretch near Menands School marked by police tape, emergency vehicles and neighbors who had spent two days looking for the boy. Residents had searched basements, trash cans, yards and wooded edges after police asked for help close to home. By Tuesday, the public search had ended, but police remained focused on how Harbe reached the pool and what happened after he disappeared Sunday.
As of Tuesday, June 30, Harbe’s death remained under investigation by Menands police and assisting agencies. Officials said more details would be released when they are available.
Author note: Last updated June 30, 2026.