Former REAL Trends’ VP Has Found Missing Son

Thomas Kolding, 15, ran away from New Jersey home Oct. 30

A former REAL Trends executive, Nicolai Kolding, announced on social media that his missing son, Thomas Kolding, 15, was found in Philadelphia. Nicolai Kolding, of Mountain Lakes, N.J., served as a senior vice president at REAL Trends from 2009-2012. More recently, Kolding served as a Realogy executive.

Thomas, the eldest of three siblings, ran away from home on Oct. 30 after he argued with his parents about his grades. He left home without his cellphone, but had about $1,000 in cash, according to local media in New Jersey. He left a note for his family saying he didn’t want to be found, and traveled by train from Denville, N.J., to Newark. He was spotted on Nov. 3 in Camden, N.J., and later that day in Philadelphia.

Nicolai posted on Facebook on Nov. 11, “after two long days walking Philadelphia with friends, we have new insights but no hard clues.”

Nicolai went on to theorize that Thomas may be relying on buses or light rail, which do not require identification to purchase fares. There were unconfirmed sightings of Thomas reported in Miami Township, Ohio.

Nicolai took to social media and posted a video on YouTube. “Thomas, in the off chance you’re out there looking, I miss you and I love you,” he said.

In a Facebook post on Nov. 13, Nicolai announced that Thomas had been found in Philadelphia.

“We are grateful beyond words,” he said, “and will go quiet for a while to focus everything we can give to the long road to recovery.”