SCHENECTADY — A year has passed since the tragic discovery of Samantha Humphrey’s body in the Mohawk River near Riverside Park. The loved ones of the young girl continue to seek answers and closure regarding her mysterious disappearance and untimely death.
On a bleak day, February 22, 2023, the body of the 14-year-old was retrieved from the river. An autopsy later confirmed the identity of the girl who had vanished from the same park three months earlier.
Jeff Humphrey, Samantha’s father, and his son Matt were in North Carolina on that fateful day. They were preparing to return home when they received the devastating news that Samantha’s body had been found in the Mohawk River. An anonymous fisherman had discovered the body, and five days later, police confirmed it was Samantha.
“The news was incredibly surreal,” Humphrey recalled. “That was when the reality truly sank in. After three months of her disappearance and the police focusing solely on the river, we had a gut feeling that it wouldn’t end well. But it wasn’t until we received the confirmation that we resolved to seek justice for her.”
Eric Clifford, Schenectady Police Chief, maintains regular contact with Jeff Humphrey and Samantha’s grandparents about the ongoing investigation. The case was quickly classified as a homicide after Samantha’s body was identified, but no arrests have been made so far.
“We have a dedicated detective working full-time on this case because it’s of utmost importance to us,” Clifford stated on Wednesday. “On anniversaries like this, we reflect on the loss of Samantha from our community. We are committed to seeing justice served.”
Despite the Humphrey family offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Samantha’s killer via billboards in Schenectady, Clifford reported no significant increase in tips to the police hotline.
Samantha was a ninth-grade student at Schenectady High School before her disappearance. Her obituary poignantly stated, “[Humphrey] lost a short but fierce battle with evil itself, and passed into eternity. Sammy, born in Metairie, La., leaves behind a host of heartbroken family and friends who will remember her with both joy and sorrow until they meet again.”
On February 4, what would have been Samantha’s 16th birthday, her family and friends held a celebration of life. Jeff Humphrey played records at the event, a shared passion between him and his daughter.
“Sam and I both loved music and played records, so I brought a couple of inexpensive turntables and played music while people reminisced,” Jeff Humphrey shared.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Schenectady police tip line at (518) 788-6566.
“Our longing for Sam hasn’t diminished since the moment she disappeared,” Jeff Humphrey said on Tuesday. “We strive to live the best life we can in her memory. To do anything less than fight for her and appreciate life every day would be a dishonor — and we won’t allow that.”
I agree with the Humphrey family’s continued search for answers. It’s important for closure and justice to be served in cases like these.
Agree with the Humphrey family’s continued search for answers and closure in this tragic case.
Disagree with the Humphrey family’s continued search for answers, it’s time to move on and let go.