Parents plead for help after American student, 22, disappears in France – National | 24CA News
A university scholar from New York has been reported lacking by fellow college students whereas he was learning overseas in France. He was final seen two weeks in the past.
The dad and mom of Ken DeLand Jr., 22, are pleading for the general public’s assist in discovering their son, and have arrange a web site to share info. The household says they “fear the worst and want him to be located.”
DeLand’s dad and mom say they final heard from him on Whatsapp on Nov. 27.
“Communication has not happened from his phone or any social media since Sunday, 11/27/2022,” his household writes. “According to authorities, Ken has not made contact with any of the friends he has made in France since 11/27.”
Read extra:
2 surviving roommates of slain Idaho college students converse out for 1st time
Read More
DeLand, a senior a St. John Fisher University in Rochester, N.Y., has been learning overseas on the Université Grenoble Alpes in France. His household says that it’s out of character for DeLand to abruptly drop communication.
According to the household’s web site, DeLand’s cellphone was final pinged on Nov. 30. His cellphone has not been lively since.
The household stated they’ve realized that DeLand left his host household’s residence on Nov. 30 with a change of garments, pockets, and his cellphone. He left behind his laptop, pill, practice go and cellphone charger.
A Grenoble public prosecutor confirmed that authorities are investigating DeLand’s disappearance in an announcement obtained by a number of news shops.
Other college students reported DeLand lacking on Nov. 29, prosecutor Eric Vaillant stated within the assertion, which kicked off their investigation.
“The young man reportedly told several people that he had arrived in France underprepared and was having difficulty making friends,” Vaillant stated.
Missing poster made by the household of Ken DeLand, 22, an American scholar who went lacking whereas learning overseas in France.
DiscoverKenDeLand.com
“He appears to have left Grenoble voluntarily,” Vaillant added, noting that DeLand “also mentioned that he wanted to go to Marseille before returning to the United States.”
DeLand’s household wrote that the lacking scholar had a dialog with one among his host household’s neighbours on the day he left.
“The neighbor said Ken seemed in bright spirits and excited for the day. We are unaware of the entire discussion or if the neighbor was informed he was planning to travel,” they wrote.
DeLand seems to have been captured on a video surveillance digicam on Dec. 3 within the city of Montélimar, which is about 140 kilometres south of Grenoble by automotive, in keeping with Vaillant and DeLand’s household.
DeLand entered the shop and bought one thing for US$8.40 at round 2:45 native time, in keeping with financial institution statements obtained by his household. He was pictured carrying a purple jacket, scarf, gray toque, blue denims and a black backpack. His household say he’s six ft tall and weighs 190 kilos.
Last recognized picture of Ken DeLand, 22, coming into a retailer in Montélimar, France.
DiscoverKenDeLand.com
DeLand’s father instructed Good Morning America that his son is a “friendly, outgoing college student.”
“He loves to travel. So, this trip has been something that he’s really looked forward to and enjoyed.”
In a special interview with WHAM, DeLand’s father says he doesn’t perceive why his son isn’t reaching out to the household.
“We just shake our heads,” Ken DeLand, Sr., stated. “We don’t understand why he is not reaching out to us… if he was reaching out on a daily basis or every other day like he was — it is just not characteristic of Kenny.”
DeLand’s household stated that since their son is on the lacking individuals listing, if he tries to go away France utilizing his passport, authorities will probably be notified.
DeLand’s research overseas program was supposed to finish on Dec. 17 and his scholar visa expires early subsequent yr, the household’s web site states.
The U.S. State Department instructed CNN that they’re “aware of reports of a U.S. citizen missing in France.”
“When a U.S. citizen is missing, we work closely with local authorities as they carry out their search efforts, and we share information with families however we can,” the division stated.
DeLand’s college in New York stated that’s helping within the investigation.
“St. John Fisher University will continue to do all it can to assist in the investigation to find Kenneth DeLand,” the college stated. “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.”
“Our campus community remains hopeful that Kenneth will be found safe and return home,” the assertion added.
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
