Family seeks help in search for 20-year-old Scottsdale man with autism
Sep 29, 2021, 12:15 PM | Updated: 2:49 pm
Najib Monsif (Scottsdale Police Photo)
(Scottsdale Police Photo)
PHOENIX – The family of a 20-year-old man with autism who went missing a week ago in Scottsdale is seeking help in bringing him home.
Najib Monsif, known as Jubi, was last seen Sept. 22 near the area of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and Via Linda.
Najib’s older sister, Josie, has created a Facebook page to help find her brother, who she describes as the most caring, gentle and wise person anyone could ever meet.
An active Silver Alert remains in effect as local authorities search for him.
“This is a missing child and we truly don’t know what’s happened to him,” Josie Monsif told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday. “Something terrible has happened because it’s been one week.”
With over 3,000 members, the page is filled with posts that share insight on where fliers have been posted, where searches have been conducted, and photos and videos of Najib’s behavior.
According to his family, Najib has a very slim build with distinct features. He was last seen wearing dark clothing and moccasins.
His family wants the community to watch for two distinctive behaviors that may help identify him.
One is he often covers his nose with his shirt. The second being he shuffles when he walks.
FIND JUBI: His family wants people to know, Najib (Jubi) Monsif has a distinct shuffle when he walks. Because of that, his family believes he could not have gotten far on foot. They fear he could be with a stranger. Here’s a video of his speech: pic.twitter.com/ehRy9XZl1h
— Ali Vetnar (@Ali_Vetnar) September 29, 2021
His sister Josie described it as “keeping his feet very close together” when he walks.
Because of that, his family believes he could not have gotten far on foot. Instead, they fear the he could be with a stranger.
Josie believes there’s another person involved at this point. She said her brother could not have left and be on his own for seven days.
“My brother, although he is a 20-year-old young man – he is a child,” Josie Monsif said. “He has the mental capacity of an 8-year-old child, he is gentle like a child and he is physically vulnerable like a child.”
According to his family, Najib loves video games, animals and children.
Those looking for Najib have searched the area of his neighborhood and the surrounding areas of Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa and Chandler.
The family is believes national coverage is needed for the search at this point.
“This is bigger than any of us and we are so grateful for the community coming together, but we can’t stop now,” Josie Monsif said.
His family says all of his belongings were left at home with no other clues or leads as to where he could have gone.
They beg anyone who sees Najib to immediately call police and not let him out of sight.
The Scottsdale Police Department continues to follow all leads.
The department is working with many state, county and local resources to assist with efforts, according to a spokesperson.
