Reward offered for information that leads to missing student

Wade Steffey

Wade S. Steffey, 19, a freshman from Bloomington, Ind., has been missing for nearly a week. Steffey, a National Merit Scholar majoring in aviation technology, was last seen early Saturday (Jan. 13).

"More than 350 volunteers helped explore a large area of campus during an organized search on Thursday," said Purdue spokesperson Jeanne Norberg. "We hope this reward will generate additional interest and encourage someone to come forward with information that helps us find Wade."

The reward fund, established by Steffey's family and friends, is being administered by Fifth Third Bank in Central Indiana. Donors should make their checks out to The Wade Steffey Reward Fund in Central Indiana, and donations can be made at any Fifth Third Bank branch. For information, call Fifth Third Bank in Lafayette at (765) 423-5557.

On Friday (Jan. 19) police began asking people to display a flyer with a photo of Steffey. The flyer is available online at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/html3month/2007/071019SteffeyFlyer.pdf

Purdue police also requested that campus and Greater Lafayette residents search areas near their homes and workplaces for clues to Steffey's whereabouts.

In addition, Purdue police have partnered with A Child Is Missing, a non-profit agency that helps police departments find missing people. The alert program will send out 2,000 to 3,000 phone calls to residents within a three- to five-mile radius of where Steffey was last seen. The calls will include a description of Steffey and his clothing, as well as a phone number people can call to report information on the case.

Norberg said police are particularly interested in recovering any items of clothing, cell phones, wallets and other personal effects, such as identification cards.

Police were alerted to Steffey's disappearance on Tuesday (Jan. 16) after family and friends became concerned that he had not been seen since early Saturday (Jan. 13). Steffey attended a party at the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity house, 900 David Ross Road, on Friday (Jan. 12) evening and was wearing a white long-sleeved shirt with light blue stripes and light-colored jeans.

Police received a tip that a person matching Steffey's description was seen at the northwest corner of Owen Hall around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, near the time when a call was placed from his cell phone to a female student who lives there. Steffey had reportedly left his coat in Owen Hall, Norberg said.

Steffey is white with short brown hair and brown eyes, is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Purdue Police Department at (765) 494-8221 or the anonymous tip line at (765) 496-3784.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Source: Jeanne Norberg, Purdue University News Service director, (765) 494-2096

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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