Family Story
"Not Even a Line": A Son's Fifty-Year Search for His Father
Tadesse Gemeda left Dime, Ethiopia in 1974 with a British research team, before his son was born. Fifty years later, his son is still searching. This is his story.
Maereg Tesfaye Tafesse has been missing since 3 March 2018, last seen in Seattle, WA, United States. If you have any information, however small, your tip could help bring answers.
Missing From Ethiopia
2026-07-28
Behind every case in this registry is a real person, and people still waiting for news. This is Maereg Tesfaye Tafesse.
Maereg is a man, aged 24, of Ethiopian nationality. He was last seen on 3 March 2018 in Seattle, WA, United States.
Here is what was reported about his disappearance:
“Maereg, an intelligent young man, came to the U.S. in 2012 to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA. He was last known to be living in Seattle, WA but has lived in Oregon and California as well. He informed his family that he was leaving the US, but no evidence shows that he departed. It's possible he could be with the homeless population.”
He was described as Height: 6'1" Weight: 160 lbs Hair: Long, black Facial: Beard Tattoos: Left hand "flying birds" Scars: scars on leg Other: Left handed, quiet and intelligent.
Cases like Maereg's are often moved forward by a single memory: a face recognised at a border, a name heard in a camp, a detail that felt too small to mention. Someone, somewhere, may hold that piece.
If you know anything about Maereg, however small, please share it in confidence on his case page: https://www.missingfromethiopia.org/registry/0576b927-2331-4ad6-8bc3-a800631fa6a5. Please quote case reference MFE-REF-2026-0005.
This appeal was prepared by Missing From Ethiopia from the details in his case report. If you are part of his family, or knew Maereg, and would like his story told in full, please reach out. We would be honoured to tell it with you.
