by The American college student who went missing while studying abroad in France may have been “not adequately prepared” for life overseas and left voluntarily, according to a French prosecutor.
St. in Rochester, New York. Ken DeLand Jr., a senior at John Fisher University, last contacted his family via the WhatsApp messaging app on November 27, after he left his host family’s home to catch a train to Valence, France. His phone was last pinged on November 30.
Grenoble prosecutor Eric Vaillant told French media that DeLand appeared to have left the city voluntarily after having trouble making friends.
The 22-year-old student was studying French at the Grenoble Alpes University.
KEN DELAND LOST: AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENT LOST WHEN ESTABLISHING EDUCATION ABROAD IN FRANCE
A French prosecutor investigating the disappearance of Ken DeLand, a college student in the United States, said he may have left voluntarily after he had trouble making friends.
(findkendeland.com)
Vaillant said DeLand had expressed his desire to go to the city of Marseille before returning to his home in the United States. He was scheduled to leave France on December 15.
DeLand’s family set up a website in hopes of getting clues as to where he might be.
“Initially, Ken struggled to fit in and make friends abroad,” the family wrote. “Still, he remained positive and made great connections. We learned that he told friends in the United States and France that he wanted to go to Marseille before he came home.”
The website said DeLand was last seen wearing a red jacket, scarf, gray beanie, blue pants, a black backpack and sneakers.
His family said he was about 1.80 meters tall and 190 kilos. They also provided a security camera photo taken while walking inside a sporting goods store on Dec.
KEN DELAND: FATHER OF AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENT LOST IN FRANCE WARNED OTHER PARENTS TO EDUCATE ABROAD
DeLand was last seen wearing a red jacket, scarf, gray beanie, blue pants, a black backpack and sneakers.
(findkendeland.com)
“We fear the worst and would like to be located,” reads the family’s website.
According to French authorities, DeLand was reported missing on 29 November due to his absence from class or being seen by any of his friends or host family, which prompted an investigation into his disappearance.
The family’s website said classmates who had seen him on campus the previous day said he looked normal and happy.
DeLand’s bank authorized the police to follow up on his purchases after learning of his disappearance. According to his bank statement, he made a purchase of $8.40 at a store in the town of Montelimar at 9 a.m. on December 3.
He was learning abroad through the American Institute for Foreign Study program and said he was “joining others interested in his safety and working with local law enforcement who initiated the search.”
DeLand was reported missing on November 29 due to not attending class or being seen by any of his friends or host family, which prompted an investigation into his disappearance.
(findkendeland.com)
“We are in contact with Kenneth’s family and university, and we hope for his quick and safe return,” AIFS said in a statement. Said.
The clues that the family had received via the website were forwarded to the FBI, which assisted international authorities with the investigation, through its office in Paris.
The US State Department said it was “aware of reports of the disappearance of a US citizen in France”.
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“When a US citizen goes missing, we are working closely with local authorities as we conduct the search and share as much information as we can with families,” a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “The State Department has no higher priority than the welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad. We stand ready to provide appropriate assistance to U.S. citizens and their families in need.”
