4 Weeks Later, And Still No Sign Of Missing MCCC Student

Where is Nick Pratico? That’s the question that has haunted the Mercer County Community College community for one month now.

Pratico, an aspiring drama student, was last seen on Sept. 20 after enrolling in classes for his upcoming freshman semester. And despite efforts by police and Pratico's family, there has been no progress made in the case, at least publicly.

There aren’t many clues: There is the student ID card that was left behind on a college lawn near the Edinburgh Road entrance, as reported by nj.com. A volunteer searcher found the ID, but it didn’t provide any clues as to his whereabouts or why he went missing.

During a recent press conference, the family’s priest said it’s out of character for Pratico to disappear without telling his family.

He has no history of running away, drug use or psychological issues, police said.

Efforts to find the young man are mounting.

A “Find Nick Pratico” Facebook page had over 15,000 followers as of Thursday morning. The family has offered a reward for any information that leads to his safe return.

Friends have taken to the internet to find Pratico, a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville

“Nick is one of my best friends and one of the greatest people I know, and that's true for so many people. He's such a fun-loving, easy-going guy and he doesn't deserve to be lost out there in this world,” a friend posted on the blogging platform odyssey.com.

Additionally, two radio personalities have pushed for the public to spread the word and help find Pratico.

“As a mom of two teenage boys, I can only imagine the nightmare that this family is going through,” Liz Jeressi wrote in a post on 943thepoint.com titled “Please Share To Help Find This Missing NJ Teen.” “Please pray for his safety and share this info,” she added.

“Nick went missing from Mercer County, but that doesn't mean that he's in Mercer County, so it's absolutely necessary to spread his name and face as widely as possible,” Justin Louis wrote in a similar post on wobm.com.

Pratico is 6’1,” 155 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. His images are attached to this post. He was not operating any known car at the time he was reported missing. Police believe he may have been headed for the New York City area, specifically Times Square or the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts at 39 West 19th Street.

He was set to take classes at the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in the spring, according to NJ 101.5.

Anyone with any information regarding the missing person is asked to contact the Hamilton Police Division at 609-581-4000 or Detective Frank Burger of the Hamilton Police Division’s Criminal Investigations Section at 609-581-4010.

The attached image of Nicholas Pratico was previously provided by the West Windsor Police Department