The search continues for critical missing person Michael Kocabay, a CSUN student reported missing on Sept. 25. Kocabay was last seen at approximately 8 a.m. in Little Tujunga Canyon right outside the Angeles National Forest Gateway Ranger District Office, below the Angeles Shooting Ranges.
Kocabay’s family is unfamiliar with the area and does not believe Kocabay has spent
time there, according to family friend Lili Bagherzadeh. The 20-year-old was last seen wearing a green shirt, sweatpants and Jordan shoes. He is believed to be without his wallet, ID and cash. Upon reaching the area, Kocabay’s phone was subsequently shut off.
“His sister and his mom have just been camping outside the 7-Eleven near where he was last seen,” Bagherzadeh said. “They can, like, barely go home, and they’re just calling everyone they know.”
Bagherzadeh said the case falls within the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), although the Sheriff’s Department is assisting in conducting search and rescue operations. A search took place on Sept. 29 with the help of approximately 150 volunteers, but there was no sign of Kocabay.
Kocabay’s sister, Arianna Kocabay, leads the search for her brother, who she is very close to, according to Bagherzadeh.
“If it wasn’t for [Arianna], I don’t think any of this would have gotten done,” Bagherzadeh said. “I don’t even think she slept. Honestly, like, she barely slept, and she is just in go-mode to find her brother.”
Kocabay lives at home with his mother and sister in Winnetka. The day before he went missing, his family did not note any abnormal behavior. They shared that Kocabay stayed home playing video games with a friend from CSUN.
The next morning, after his mother and sister left the home, Kocabay “took off,” following comments that left his family concerned. After finding his last known location through his Uber account, a missing person case was filed.
“They’re in shock,” Bagherzadeh said.
In the first two days of Kocabay’s disappearance, Bagherzadeh said police response was slow. As a result, Arianna, her mother and family friends hiked the area for hours – including areas with prohibited entry. The family also hired a private investigator during this time.
Bagherzadeh distributed hundreds of missing person flyers across the CSUN campus and surrounding areas in hopes that someone would recognize Kocabay. She said the family is now searching beyond the Sylmar area.
Some locals in Sylmar, especially those in the neighborhood’s Armenian community, have been extremely helpful, according to Bagherzadeh, checking on the family and providing additional search efforts.
Following Kocabay’s last known location, Bagherzadeh said a tip was provided by an unhoused individual who alleged Kocabay may have taken the bus to a different location. The family said they are waiting for the LAPD to receive CCTV camera footage near the bus, but have yet to hear an update.
“Until we get the bus footage, we don’t know if he’s there or he left,” Yasmin Bagherzadeh, Lili Bagherzadeh’s sister, said. Yasmin has also known Kocabay for years.
Rather than remaining idle and relying on the justice system, Lili Bagherzadeh turned to social media to spread word of Kocabay’s disappearance. Through Instagram and TikTok, Bagherzadeh was able to rally additional help during the official search – with 30% of volunteers showing up in response to social media posts.
Those not close to Kocabay have also expressed their empathy for the family by reposting his disappearance on other social media sites, such as Reddit.
“I have mutual friends who had classes with him, and they all said he was really sweet and kind,” one Reddit user wrote. “I really hope he’s okay and comes home safely.”
In addition to seeking support, Lili Bagherzadeh said it was important for her to give dimension to Kocabay beyond the missing person poster.
“The goal of the social media is to … put a person behind the name,” she said. “To really humanize Michael so people care.”
Bagherzadeh wants the community to know exactly the kind of person Kocabay is. She said Kocabay is creative, smart in many subjects and enjoys playing video games. He is a “homebody” who loves spending time with his family and acts as a big brother to his cousins.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Kocabay’s family as they continue to search for him, which has reached over $7,800 in donations.
Above all, Kocabay’s loved ones want him to feel supported and loved.
“We want him to come home and know that we all love him and that no one is judging him and just get him help if he needs it,” Lili Bagherzadeh said.
The family asks anyone who may have any information to call 818-572-3117 or contact the LAPD. Tips can also be sent to the “Michael Kocabay is Missing” Instagram page.
