Concern grew in winter 2025 for Willie J. Gordon, a 69-year-old man from New Jersey whose family last heard from him during the last week of January. His brother reported him missing to police on February 5, 2025 after a prolonged period of no contact that was out of character. The Paterson Police Department opened an investigation but had very few leads.

Willie’s last known address was in Newark, though there were indications he might have relocated to nearby Irvington and authorities considered he may have been experiencing homelessness, possibly remaining in the Newark area. He is described as a Black / African American male, five feet ten inches tall, about 180 pounds, with gray or partially gray short hair, a mustache, and brown eyes. Notable identifiers include a tattoo of three hearts on his left hand, another tattoo on his left wrist, and many missing upper and lower teeth. There is no information about what he was wearing when last seen or whether he had access to a vehicle or used public transportation.

This case has a significant gap between Willie’s last contact and the missing-person report, and few concrete leads to trace his last movements. If anyone saw Willie in Newark or Irvington after the last week of January 2025 or has information about his possible whereabouts, please come forward.