The family of an American college student is seeking answers after their son, a senior at St. John Fisher University, went missing last month while studying abroad in France.
Ken DeLand Jr.’s parents say they last heard from their 22-year-old son on Nov. 27, according to awebsite they launched to help find him.
The student was in “constant communication” with his family during his time at the University Grenoble Alpes, his father, Kenneth DeLand, toldABC News. “He would reach out to me almost daily, sometimes every other day,” he told the outlet.
“It’s not characteristic of Kenny to not reach out to usand let us know what’s going on,” his father added during an interview withGood Morning America, which aired Monday.
Ken DeLand Jr.Findkendeland.com
DeLand Jr.’s parents said on their website that when they last heard from their son via WhatsApp on Nov. 27, “apparently, he had left his host family’s residence and boarded the train headed for Valence, France.”
The last time they got a ping from his phone was on Nov. 30. Days later, he made an $8.40 purchase at a store in Montelimar, which is also in Southeastern France, on the morning of Dec. 3 at 9 a.m., they shared on the website, alongside a surveillance photo.
“We fear the worst and want him to be located,” they added.
They say his study abroad program was scheduled to end on Dec. 17, and that his visa will expire in January.
Grenoble’s public prosecutor said in a statement that the young man reportedly “told several people that he arrived in France insufficiently prepared and had difficulty making friends.”
In the statement, authorities said he appeared to have “left Grenoble voluntarily” and said he had “mentioned that he wanted to go to Marseille before returning to the United States.”
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Speaking with ABC News, the student’s father said his son loves travel and that his time abroad “has been something that he’s really looked forward to and enjoyed.”
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In a statement, a spokesperson for St. John Fisher University, which is located in Rochester, N.Y., said the community “remains hopeful that Kenneth will be found safe and return home.”
“University officials have stayed in close contact with the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) who is working with local law enforcement on the search, as well as Kenneth’s family to offer support to them during this time,” they added.
In an interview withGood Morning America, DeLand Jr.’s mother said shestill messages him everyday, pleading with him to get in contact with them.
According to his family, he was last seen wearing a red jacket, a grey beanie, blue pants, a scarf and sneakers and was carrying a black backpack.
Anyone with information is asked tocontact the family through their website.
source: people.com
