Police Seek Help Locating 63-Year-Old Riverhead Raceway Worker Missing Jan. 27

Riverhead police and relatives are seeking the public’s help locating Kathleen Harrison Trent, 63, a fixture at Riverhead Raceway for more than four decades who was last seen at her home on the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 27. Her son reported her missing to the Riverhead Police Department on Thursday, Jan. 29, and police publicly requested assistance on or by Feb. 2.

Police describe Ms. Trent as a white female, approximately 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighing about 140 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Authorities said she was last seen at her residence at 61 Forge Road in Riverhead. Missing-person flyers and social media posts from family, friends and Raceway acquaintances have circulated across local networks as the search continues.

Ms. Trent’s long ties to the Raceway have made her disappearance especially felt in the community. John Ellwood, general manager of Riverhead Raceway, said Ms. Trent worked in many roles over the years, including concession stands, security and facility cleaning. “From concession stands to security, working at the facility, cleaning, she’s just been instrumental,” Ellwood said. He added, “I hope the community gets together and helps as she would — she would be that person [that] always had our back.”

Family members have continued outreach on social media; Ms. Trent’s brother and sister-in-law, who no longer live in Riverhead, posted that they learned she was missing “over the weekend.” Flyers shared online reflect a community effort to find a familiar face known to generations of racegoers, vendors and seasonal workers.

Local public safety officials emphasize that residents can play a direct role. Anyone with information about Ms. Trent’s location should contact the Riverhead Police Department at 631-727-4500. All calls will be kept confidential. Police have not released information suggesting foul play or provided updates on investigative steps beyond the public plea for tips.

The disappearance underscores broader community concerns about the safety and welfare of older adults who live alone and work in informal, close-knit settings. For many in Riverhead, the loss of daily contact with a longtime colleague and neighbor is both personal and practical: staff and volunteers at venues like Riverhead Raceway often form informal safety nets for one another. Neighbors and regulars who know Ms. Trent’s routines are being asked to check garages, outbuildings and familiar local spots and to report any possible sightings to police.

As investigators and family members continue outreach, the immediate next step for readers is practical: if you live near Forge Road or recall seeing Kathleen Harrison Trent after Jan. 27, call the Riverhead Police Department at 631-727-4500. The community’s tips will determine whether searches expand or lead to reunification, and local leaders say that neighborhood attention can make the difference.