re: A 21-year-old LSU student is reported missing

quote:

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Word is a suicide

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Where did this word come from?

Bump

To all that have followed the disappearance of our son and expressed concern, prayers, support and assistance I am again reaching out to you. Upon the suggestion of several people I have created this new page dedicated to the search for Michael, Jr.

Many have asked for updates. I will try to encapsulate the situation at hand up to this point while staying within the bounds of the direction given to me by the lead law enforcement agency investigating this, the LSU Campus Police.
Michael is still missing. He was last sighted in his East Campus dorm room at approx. 1:00 am on September 18, 2017. A short time after that one of his roommates reports that he heard Michael’s bedroom door open and then the door to the apartment open and is under the assumption that is when Michael left the apartment. Michael left without his cell phone, computer, wallet and car keys. In the wallet were his various IDs, credit and debit cards. His car was left parked near his Campus Apartment.

To date the following has happened:
- A search of Mississippi River Levee behind LSU Campus and the river using boats and helicopter on Monday and Tuesday according to LSU Police
- Roommates, friends of Michael and NROTC were interviewed mostly by phone. A few in person, not enough in my opinion
- Initial Press Release went out I believe Tuesday
- Michael has been placed on a Missing Persons List with the National Criminal Justice Information System (NCJIS)
- Private remote areas of campus were searched according to LSU Police. I am unaware of what areas they searched
- I brought up the use of tracking dogs several times and the idea was tabled each time
- A sweep of the nearly 400 buildings on Campus has been conducted according to LSU Police. How thorough this was I am unaware
- No video surveillance of my son leaving his room or surrounding areas has been detected to this date, 5 days after the event
- His room and vehicle have been swept for evidence multiple times and at this time remain sealed. Although some gained access when the room was left unsecured after the search
- His iPhone and laptop have been subpoenaed and are currently undergoing digital electronic forensic investigation. There have been no results reported
- I made a request of the LSU Office of the President at the suggestion of LSU Police to push a broadcast email about my son’s missing status to be sent to all LSU system email users. That occurred Thursday afternoon after 4:00 pm over 78 hours after the LSU Police were first involve in this case
- Multiple possible sightings of my son have been reported and followed up on to no avail
- A sighting of a vehicle last Tuesday reportedly driven by my son with license plate number combinations reported have not been substantiated yet
- I have personally reached out to Baton Rouge City Police, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office and the FBI to participate in this endeavor. They have agreed to offer assistance. As to knowledge there has only been one officer from the BR City Police Missing Persons dept. that has been involved
- I have been contacted by a multitude of concerned family, friends, co-workers and empathetic individuals totally unknown to me before this horrific chain of events. They are compassionate individuals either with or without children. They mostly with are current LSU parents or possibly have Military ties. They have offered assistance on many levels. It was recognized by LSU Campus Police that we should attempt to marshal this support in a coordinated manner. At this time no plan has come forth.
- I feel no advance of my sons case has been accomplished recently and in the days ahead because of the gridlock on campus due to the LSU home game
- I was told by Eli B. Wilson on my Facebook post that Michael’s info will be displayed at the LSU game this evening. I can only hope that is the case
- I have been approached by many news agencies stating that they don’t feel LSU is giving my son’s disappearance enough exposure. No search team, limited released information, lack of personnel involved. I have put them off to this point. I am considering revisiting this soon.
- Tomorrow, Sunday September 24th myself, family, small group of friends will assemble at the East Campus Apartment at Building #4 to attempt to assemble an organized search effort or at least uncover areas of focus that the authorities can pursue

I feel bad for the parents

This is all very strange indeed. To leave his keys and wallet pretty much dispels him running away. No friends have any idea where he's at. 21 year old males are rarely, if ever, kidnap victims. No way he's just lost. He's somewhere. I hate to say it but I think he'll be found dead in some remote hidden area near campus. It's really the only realistic possibility at this point.

I can't imagine how frustrating it must be to feel there are things that could be done that haven't and have no control. I'm sure all parents feel this way when in this situation but the added layer of LSU Police just makes it worse from the parents' perspective.

That's rough. It sounds like his dad just wants his body found if they're wanting to search the campus with dogs. I hope he just had a breakdown and ran off somewhere for a bit.

I am not familiar with the place where he was staying. But no security cameras in the entire area? Can someone who lives there give us any information on this building and how isolated the area around it is, not to have any type of cameras. And prayers for the family that he is found alive.

I lived in eca for 3 years. I believe the only cameras are at the activity center

I really do not see what else the police can do for him. If there are no leads, there are just no leads. That's not due to a lack of trying.

I'm sure your child going missing is horrible, but that guy sounds like he's expecting the city to be put on hold and that's just not reasonable. It absolutely fricking sucks, but the cops can only devote so much time and personnel to a dead end search.