In late summer 1999, 53-year-old Xuan Cao disappeared from a hotel in North Bergen, New Jersey, while visiting the United States with a tour group from China. After the group checked in, he told others he was stepping out to make a phone call and never returned. He left all personal belongings in his room, including his passport and luggage, which suggests he intended to come back shortly. Reports most often give the date as September 8, 1999, though the exact day is ambiguous.

At the time he vanished he was described as an Asian male, about 5 feet 7 inches tall and 170 pounds, with black hair, black eyes and glasses. He was last seen wearing a long-sleeved white striped shirt and blue pants. The North Bergen Police Department investigated but developed few leads, and the case was later entered into NamUs. What happened after he left the hotel to make that phone call remains unknown.

If anyone in the area that day remembers seeing a man matching Cao’s description or has other information, please share what is known with North Bergen police.