A search that began on the night of June 29 in the Harriet Island area of St. Paul has come to a heartbreaking close. Joyce Thao, 21, was reported last seen near the bay around 11:57 p.m. that night.
Her family and friends spent days circulating missing person flyers and asking the community to stay alert. On July 1, loved ones confirmed that Joyce had been found and that the outcome was the one they had feared most.
A community search fueled by love
In the days after Joyce went missing, her family described her as a bright, resilient young woman who was known for lifting others up. Flyers shared across social media listed her as 5 feet 4 inches tall, about 135 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a gray tank top, and a tan sweater, and was recognizable by several tattoos, including one on her chest, along with an eyebrow piercing and a lip piercing.
Family members took to Facebook to rally support, writing that “her family is in pieces” and asking the public for any leads. Relatives thanked everyone who shared the posts, made calls, sent tips, or simply kept an eye out during the search. According to one family member’s update, no reply was needed to the final post, only an acknowledgment that the search had ended in loss.
Remembering who Joyce was
Those closest to Joyce describe her as someone who left a mark on everyone she met. Her sister, who organized a fundraiser to help cover funeral costs, wrote that Joyce was gifted at connecting with people and was often the one who showed up for others, even when it wasn’t easy. Family and friends recall her as:
- A creative spirit who enjoyed making art and collecting blind boxes
- Someone who built new friendships easily and stayed loyal to old ones
- A dependable presence who puts others first in times of need
- A person whose humor and warmth are remembered as unmatched
Funeral support from the community
With funeral arrangements now underway, Joyce’s family has turned to GoFundMe to help ease the financial burden.
As of this report, the fundraiser titled “Support for Joyce Thao’s Funeral” has already surpassed its five-thousand-dollar goal, raising just over five thousand one hundred dollars from more than 120 donors.
Organizer Viva Thao, based in St. Paul, wrote that the funds will go directly toward funeral expenses and that the family is grateful for contributions of any size.
Family members have asked the public to remain respectful during this time, noting how much the outpouring of support has meant to them. As one relative put it, whether it was a shared post, a lead, a prayer, or simply concern from a stranger, every gesture mattered.
Those wishing to support the family can find the fundraiser online under Joyce Thao’s name. Anyone with additional information related to her case is encouraged to reach out through the contacts listed on the original missing person notice.
