The parents of a 22-year-old student who disappeared from campus in the early hours of 2 October have made a public appeal for his safe return, as police continue a search that has so far found no trace of him.
Dilan Shaan Ashar, a University of Maryland student, was last seen on camera at about 2.30am on Friday 2 October at Terrapin Trail Garage, according to the University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD). His mother appeared in a video message shared by the force on Tuesday 6 October, four days after he vanished, saying the family wanted him home. Officers have released two new images of Mr Ashar in the hope of generating fresh leads.
The family’s appeal
“Dilan, we love you so much, and we hope you are safe,” his mother said in the video. “We want you home. If you see this or anyone else sees this, please call us or call 911. We are waiting for you.”
The family said Mr Ashar did not have his mobile phone, wallet or identification with him. “This is why we need people to call if you have information,” his mother said.
She described her son as a “kind, thoughtful young man who cares deeply about people”, adding: “He loves sports and he loves to cook.”
What police know of his movements
According to the UMPD, Mr Ashar was recorded leaving his residence at around 2am on Friday. Roughly half an hour later, he was captured on camera at the garage on the campus.
His parents last communicated with him at about 6pm on Thursday 1 October. At 9.23am the following morning, campus police and the Prince George’s County Police Department met them after they raised concerns about their son, the UMPD said in a statement.
The university’s Security Operations Center is continuing to review video footage. The two new screenshots released by police show Mr Ashar outside the garage on Friday morning.
Search efforts
On the morning of Sunday 4 October, the UMPD said it carried out a “systematic and methodical search” covering about 110 acres around the garage. Almost 50 first responders and nine dogs took part. Later that afternoon, a drone was used over the university’s golf course.
The force said patrol officers had also checked parking garages, wood lines, Lake Artemesia and nearby parks since the initial report on Friday, and that these checks were continuing. However, it said the work had so far produced no results.
Police have not announced evidence of a crime or abduction, and are treating the case as a missing-person investigation.
Description
Mr Ashar is described as 6ft 2in tall and about 185lbs. Police said he was wearing a black University of Maryland hooded sweatshirt, grey sweatpants and white shoes when he disappeared.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact police or call 911.
