Memphis, Tennessee — The family of 33-year-old Matthew Wayne Peressini is still searching for answers after he vanished more than a year ago while traveling by bus from New York to Texas. His last confirmed location was Memphis, Tennessee, on March 30, 2024.
The Journey That Ended in Silence
Matthew’s mother had dropped him off at the Greyhound bus station in New Paltz, New York, on March 28, 2024, so he could return home to Dallas, Texas.
Without a personal phone, Matthew often borrowed others’ devices to stay in touch during his travels. On March 30, around 6:00 p.m., he called his mother one last time, letting her know he was in Nashville, Tennessee and planned to get off the bus briefly to change clothes.
That was the final time anyone in his family heard from him.
Memphis: The Last Confirmed Stop
Initially, his family believed Nashville was the last place Matthew had been seen. However, after speaking with the bus driver, they learned Matthew had remained on the bus until it arrived in Memphis. Greyhound ticket records later confirmed his fare was scanned there, marking Memphis as the last verified stop of his journey.
What happened after that remains a troubling mystery.
Troubling Claims and Unconfirmed Sightings
In the days following his disappearance, a woman came forward with a disturbing account. She claimed she saw Matthew being lured away from the bus station by suspicious-looking men. The report could not be confirmed, but it deepened the family’s fears.
Other unconfirmed sightings in Memphis were also reported shortly after he went missing, though none have led to concrete leads.
Mental Health Concerns
Matthew’s sister has shared that he suffers from mental illness, and she fears he may have been experiencing an episode of psychosis at the time. The sudden stop in communication — uncharacteristic for him — only intensified their concern that he may have been vulnerable when last seen.
Description of Matthew
At the time of his disappearance, Matthew was described as a:
- 33-year-old Caucasian male
- Height: 5’7″
- Weight: 190 lbs
- Hair: Brown
- Facial hair: Red beard
- Eyes: Hazel
He has a crown tattoo on his arm, a diamond tattoo on his finger, and a chipped front tooth.
Matthew was last seen wearing a black hoodie, black sweatpants, and a Philadelphia ’76ers baseball cap. He was carrying a white duffel bag and a black suitcase.
Call for Information
The family continues to urge the public to come forward with any information that may help bring Matthew home.
Anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts is asked to contact Sergeant Langham with the Memphis Police Department at (901) 545-2677.
A Family Still Waiting
For Matthew’s loved ones, each day without answers is another reminder of the uncertainty surrounding his disappearance. They continue to hold out hope that someone will come forward with information that can finally shed light on what happened after he stepped off the bus in Memphis.