Purdue News
Purdue News
|
|
April 10, 1998
Task force assists in search for missing studentWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- An interdepartmental task force of Purdue University and Greater Lafayette police officers has been formed to assist in the investigation into the disappearance of a Purdue student, last seen more than three weeks ago.The missing student is John C. Leath, 19, a freshman in engineering from Wilmette, Ill., who has been missing since March 19. Steven R. Dietrich, Purdue police captain of investigations, said the task force will step up efforts beyond campus in an attempt to ascertain Leath's whereabouts. He said investigators will comb the banks of the Wabash River, and plans call for a State Police helicopter to make an aerial sweep of the community. "We continue to treat this mysterious disappearance very seriously, and we deeply appreciate the cooperative assistance from our colleagues in other local police departments," said William M. Coghill, director of Purdue Safety and Security and chief of police. "And, again, we ask that students or community residents with any possible information about this case contact us immediately." Leath is white, with short blond hair and blue eyes. He is 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 175 pounds. On the last day he was seen, he had purchased a shotgun at Vierk Surplus Store Exchange in Lafayette. He had recently returned from spring break in Florida, and he had told friends he enjoyed his time there and wished to return sometime. Purdue police were first informed of Leath's disappearance on the evening of March 23, when the student's father called to report that his son had not been seen in his Cary Quadrangle Residence Hall since the week before. The father had been contacted by the son's friends earlier that evening. The Purdue Police Department telephone number is (765) 494-8221.
Source: Capt. Steven R. Dietrich, (765) 494-8221
|
