Ken DeLand Jr missing: NY college student vanishes while studying in France, with more than 2 weeks passing since he was last heard as family appeal for his whereabouts.
Where is he? A 22-year-old college senior from upstate New York studying abroad in France has gone missing for more than 2 weeks- as the man’s now ‘frantic’ family now pleads for information leading to his whereabouts.
Ken DeLand Jr., a student at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, who had constantly communicated with his family while overseas last contacted his parents on Nov. 27 via WhatsApp after leaving his host family’s home to catch a train to Valence, France. The missing student was due to return to the United States next week according to a website launched by the student’s family.
The last time Deland’s phone pinged was on Nov. 30.
‘Still, communication has yet to happen from his phone or any social media’ since Nov. 27, the Find Ken DeLand site states.
‘Kenny’s bank was made aware of his disappearance and provided authorization to police to track purchases,’ it adds.
‘We fear the worse’
Ken was last seen on surveillance video on Dec. 3 at a Decathlon store in Montelimar, France, about a fifty minute train ride south of the Grenoble university he was studying at. According to his bank, which is tracking his purchases, he spent just under $9 at the store.
Bank statements showed DeLand making a purchase at the store at 9 a.m. Dec. 3 for $8.40, the family said.
‘We fear the worst and want him to be located,’ they added.
Kenny was in ‘constant communication’ with his family while abroad, his father, Kenneth DeLand Sr., told ‘Good Morning America.’
‘He would reach out to me almost daily, sometimes every other day,’ his father told the show. His father said their last conversation was nothing out of the ordinary.
Kenny was attending the University of Grenoble Alpes through the study abroad program, the American Institute for Foreign Study, ABC News reported.
‘AIFS joins others concerned for his safety and we are working with local law enforcement who have begun a search. We have been in contact with Kenneth’s family and university and we are hoping for his swift and safe return,’ AIFS told the news network.
Foul play?
DeLand Sr. said a representative from the program notified the family that Kenny did not attend class, which was unusual.
‘Kenny’s a friendly, outgoing college student, a young man,’ he said. ‘He loves to travel. So, this trip has been something that he’s really looked forward to and enjoyed.’
Kenny was last seen carrying a black backpack and was wearing a red jacket, scarf, gray beanie and blue plants.
‘If he attempts to leave France via train, his passport will ping. We have learned that you can travel via other means without using your passport,’ the family said on the website.
‘We understand Kenny is an adult, and the University, as well as local, national and international police hands, are tied. Neither the US nor French administration can share his whereabouts. What we do know is there is a missing person’s report filed,’ they said.
The family added that Kenny’s international studies are scheduled to end on Dec. 17 and that his visa will expire on Jan. 20. Authorities to date have not indicated any proof existing that would indicate foul play.
Clifton Springs community prays for Fisher student who went missing in France https://t.co/buxCIrn0aD
— news10nbc (@news10nbc) December 12, 2022
Meanwhile, the upstate community of Clifton Springs attended a prayer vigil for Kenny on Saturday at the United Methodist Church, WHEC reported.
The Rev. Brian Fellows said that ‘what we hope his family gets from this is that we don’t want their hope to die. I believe wherever he is, that all is holy and all that is sacred is with him and that it brings him comfort and peace.’
His friend Hunter said he last spoke to him ‘two or three weeks before he went missing,’ adding that ‘he forgot how to say ‘heck’ in French, so being the good patron I am, I gave him the right word.’
St. John Fisher University officials said the school is doing everything it can to help local and foreign authorities with the probe, which includes the FBI, WHAM reported.
