The family of 22-year-old University of Maryland student Dilan Shaan Ashar has made an emotional appeal for help as authorities continue searching for him, days after he disappeared from the university campus. “Dilan, we love you so much and we hope you are safe. We want you home,” said his mother in the recorded video message released through the University of Maryland Police Department, urging students and members of the community to share his photographs and look for any information that could help locate him.Ashar was last seen on surveillance footage at around 2:30 am on October 2 at the Terrapin Trail Garage on the University of Maryland’s College Park campus. Police said he had left his residence at about 2 am that morning.His parents last communicated with him at around 6 pm on October 1. They became concerned after they went to his residence the following day and found that he was not there.Police have described Ashar as 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing about 185 pounds. At the time he was last seen, he was wearing a black University of Maryland hooded sweatshirt, grey sweatpants and white shoes.His family said he does not have his cellphone, wallet or identification with himNo sign of Ashar even after drone searcg, K-9 searchAuthorities have carried out multiple searches since Ashar was reported missing.On October 3, police used a drone to search wooded areas near the Terrapin Trail Garage and later conducted a K-9 search. The following morning, nearly 50 first responders and nine dogs searched approximately 110 acres around the garage. Police also used a drone to search the university golf course.Officers have repeatedly checked parking garages, wooded areas, Lake Artemesia and nearby parks. However, all searches conducted so far have failed to locate Ashar.Police are continuing to review surveillance footage and have released images showing Ashar outside the Terrapin Trail Garage in the early hours of October 2.Family asks public to check camerasAshar’s family and police are asking people who live or work near the university to check security-camera footage from their homes, vehicles and businesses for anything that could help investigators establish where he went.Police are also urging people to share Ashar’s photographs and missing-person information on social media.Anyone who may have information about Ashar’s whereabouts has been asked to contact the University of Maryland Police Department at 301-405-3555. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the department’s website.The case has been classified as a critical missing-person investigation. Police said they will continue searching for Ashar and rechecking previously searched areas.
