‘We just want closure': Family and friends of missing 5-year-old grieve as search continues
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – On Thursday evening, family and friends of 5-year-old Zy'Jae St. Pierre came together at the Andrews Street Bridge to remember him.
According to Rochester Police, the young boy fell from the bridge on Sunday afternoon and has yet to be located despite extensive search efforts. Earlier this week, RPD declared the ongoing investigation as a recovery mission.
Zy'Jae's aunt Sonya Wright, shared why she sees her nephew as one-of-a-kind.
'He was a very strong kid,' Sonya said. 'Very smart, intelligent, loving and fun little boy. We miss and love him.'
His great aunt Stephanie Wright also went to the bridge Thursday to grieve alongside her family. She recalled the moment she discovered what happened to Zy'Jae.
'I was just with him on Saturday, and when I got the news on Sunday that he fell over the river, I was devastated,' Stephanie said. 'I haven't slept more than an hour each day. I'm just up crying, and it's sad.'
The memories of who Zy'Jae was and his impact extend beyond his family to everyone who knew him. A former teacher of his at Sunshine Village Daycare, Maria Martinez, has many memories of him. She explained that Zy'Jae loved to write, build with blocks and show love to everyone he met.
'I saw the picture, I said his name and I just started crying, because he was my kid. That was my baby,' Martinez said.
Director of Sunshine Village Daycare April Wilcox said in her eyes, Zy'Jae was a student unlike any other and that he always let his colors shine inside the classroom.
'You could be having the worst day, and Zy'Jae would come right up to you and give you a hug or tell you that he loves you or missed you,' Wilcox said. 'He was an amazing, amazing child.'
Now, many of Zy'Jae's family members and friends are trying to focus on remembering his kind spirit and ambition as they navigate this tragedy.
'We just want closure, we want comfort, and we want him to come home,' Sonya said. 'We love him.'
Family members say they're asking community members to sign a petition which would urge city leaders to consider the installation of taller railings along the Andrews Street Bridge. It would also push to rename the bridge in in honor of Zy'Jae. A balloon release in his memory is slated to take place on Friday evening at the bridge.
There are two GoFundMe accounts which were created to assist the family during this time.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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