Craig Frear's welcoming personality is how many in the Scotia-Glenville community have remembered the then-17-year-old soccer player. Thursday marked 15 years since Frear disappeared.

On June 27, 2004, Frear was last seen at Cambridge Manor, leaving his car and walking into the woods. Frear did not have cash and his social security number has never been used. His case remains a mystery.

“His story affects all of us [in this] small community, and it has caused such devastation,” said vigil organizer Melisa Deland.

Deland is part of a group helping to publicize Frear’s case. On Thursday, they organized a vigil to remember Frear and bring attention to his disappearance.

“We believe Craig didn’t just vanish, and there’s always hope Craig’s going to come home. We want to keep him in the limelight, and again, the most important thing is trying to gain more information and get closure for the family and friends of Craig,” Deland said.

State police are continuing to investigate his disappearance and the community says they will not rest until there are answers.

“[He was] very joyful, friendly, outgoing, [and] just all around [a] great person to be around. We’ll never give up looking for him,” said former classmate Paul Lukasiewicz.