More than 3 years after he went missing, the body of 12 year old Jaylen Griffin has been found. The discovery was made when police responded to a call about a body in a home in the 100 block of Sheffield Avenue in south Buffalo on Friday.
12 year old Jaylen seemingly vanished after leaving home to walk to a nearby store on the morning of August 4, 2020.
His death has been ruled a homicide; identification was made through dental records due to decomposition.
“I want Jaylen’s family to know that we are working diligently, we will continue to work diligently to bring the next closure for the family,” Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said Monday. “The first closure was finding Jaylen and bringing him home.”
An autopsy will be performed to reveal more details about the cause and manner of death, and to gather forensic evidence that could be helpful in the investigation.
The investigation into Jaylen’s case remains open and active. A memorial vigil for his 16th birthday will be held at 6 pm on April 22, at Memorial Circle near the Central Terminal.
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Jaylen Griffin please contact the Buffalo Police Department at (716) 853-2222, or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at (800) THE-LOST.
The Disappearance of Jaylen Griffin
12 year old Jaylen Griffin was last seen in Buffalo, New York on August 4, 2020. He disappeared after going to the store around 11:00 am.
Background
Jaylen Griffin was born to mother Joann Ponzo on April 22, 2008. At the time of his disappearance he was living with his family in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood of Buffalo, New York.
He was in sixth grade, and often spent time at the stores near his home offering to carry people’s bags for money.
Disappearance
On August 4, 2020, Jaylen Griffin was last seen at his home on Warren Avenue in Buffalo, New York.
After getting home from walking his new puppy, Jaylen went into his mother’s room around 11:00 am and told her he was heading out to the store.
Jaylen hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
His family immediately reported him missing to the Buffalo Police Department when he failed to return home.
Investigation
Jaylen’s social media was deactivated after he went missing.
His family has recieved reports of people seeing Jaylen in the Buffalo area, but none of them have been confirmed.
“The Buffalo Police Department’s Special Victims Unit continues this investigation as an active missing person investigation and are following up on any and all leads that come our way,” Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia told the Buffalo News.
On February 15, 2020, Jaylen’s 18 year old brother Jawaan Griffin was shot and killed on Memorial Drive in Buffalo. Jaylen never showed up to the funeral.
His mother believes Jaylen is either under someone’s influence or that someone did something to her son. She does not believe he would run away on his own.
Authorities believe he is alive and still in the area, but his family fears he is in danger.
Jaylen’s mother, 48 year old Joann Ponzo, passed away in September 2023 without ever knowing what happened to her son.
So tragic.