Missing Queens Man Found Dead Inside School Chimney
Authorities identified remains found at P.S./I.S. 113 as 29-year-old Matthew Collado.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Accidents
Police discovered the remains of 29-year-old Matthew Collado inside a chimney at P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo in Queens on June 30, 2026. Collado had been reported missing by his family weeks earlier.
Why it matters
The discovery brought a tragic conclusion to a missing persons search that began in May, though officials are still investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
The NYPD currently lists the investigation into the death of Matthew Collado as ongoing. The cause and manner of his death remain under investigation by the medical examiner.
The players
Matthew Collado
He was a 29-year-old man who was reported missing from his home in Jamaica, Queens.
NYPD
This is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for conducting the missing persons investigation and the subsequent death inquiry.
P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo
This is the Queens school where the remains were discovered while the building was closed for summer break.
The details
Matthew Collado was last seen leaving his Jamaica apartment on May 9, 2026, and his family filed a missing persons report on May 13 after finding his door propped open. His remains were discovered inside the chimney of P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo while the school was closed for the summer.
Timeline
May 9, 2026: Matthew Collado was last seen leaving his apartment at 3 a.m.
May 13, 2026: Collado's family filed an official missing persons report.
June 30, 2026: Authorities discovered human remains in the school chimney.
Legal Context
This incident follows the historical pattern of unusual deaths found in public school infrastructure that necessitates a rigorous forensic investigation to determine cause. Such cases are often subjected to heightened scrutiny by local authorities due to the nature of the recovery site.
The discovery at P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo serves as a notification to the local community that an active police investigation was conducted at the school site. Residents may remain aware of the ongoing inquiry as authorities work to finalize their report on the cause of death.
The takeaway
The tragic recovery of the missing individual brings closure to a search that spanned several weeks. Investigations into deaths in unconventional locations often require extended forensic analysis to provide definitive answers for families.
Further reading
For more information on incidents in the area, visit New York City Accidents.
