American student missing in France was in a ‘fragile mood’ police reveal – as father says Embassy ‘can’t divulge status’ about son who was a ‘good student’ set to graduate in psychology and pre-law next year
- A French police report has revealed that missing American college student Kenneth DeLand Junior was in a ‘fragile mood’ and possibly ‘depressed’
- The 22-year-old went has not been seen since December 3, when he was spotted shopping in a Decathlon store in the town of Montélimar
- DeLand Jr was supposed to graduate in May next year with a dual major in psychology and pre-law and has been described by his father as a ‘good student’
- It has been previously claimed that DeLand Jr. had trouble making friends and the police report described him as someone who ‘does not speak French well’
- The disappearance garnered international headlines and a French prosecutor is now investigating the case
A French police report claimed the American college student missing in France was in a ‘fragile mood’ and possibly ‘depressed’, as his family plead for more information surrounding the 22-year-old’s mysterious disappearance.
Kenneth DeLand junior has not been seen since December 3, when he was spotted shopping in a Decathlon store in the town of Montélimar, about 87 miles from Grenoble, where he’d been studying abroad.
A national police report from France’s Interior Ministry, obtained and translated by Fox News, said that ‘the concrete’ and ‘disturbing facts’ must be considered ‘mandatory for a proper investigation’ – before going on to describe the proposed emotional state DeLand Jr.
The report, dated November 29, also describes DeLand Jr. as an American student who ‘does not speak French well.’
In a statement to Fox News on Monday, Grenoble prosecutor Eric Vaillant said that DeLand Jr. had ‘arrived in France underprepared and was having difficulty making friends.’
A French police report revealed that missing American college student Kenneth DeLand Junior was in a ‘fragile mood’ and possibly ‘depressed’
His father Kenneth DeLand Senior (right) revealed on Tuesday that he had contacted the U.S. Embassy in Paris, but they’d told him that they ‘can’t divulge any status’
He also said DeLand Jr. ‘seems to have left Grenoble voluntarily.’
His father Kenneth DeLand Senior revealed on Tuesday that he had contacted the U.S. Embassy in Paris, but they’d told him that they ‘can’t divulge any status.’
DeLand Sr. told Fox News that Vaillant seemed to have access to testimony and more information than his own family.
He went on to say that they had received pushback from institutions reluctant to release details about his son without the adult student first waiving his privacy rights.
DeLand Sr. described his son as a ‘good student’ who ‘enjoyed school’ to PIX11News adding that his son vanishing is ‘very puzzling.’
The 22-year-old New York college student went missing during a semester abroad in France and was set to graduate in May next year with a dual major in psychology and pre-law.
The disappearance has garnered international headlines, with CNN reporting that a French prosecutor is now investigating the case.
DeLand Jr.’s fellow students reported him missing on November 29, prompting the investigation, according to a statement from the prosecutor released Monday and obtained by CNN.
DeLand Jr. has not been seen since Dec 3 when he was spotted shopping in a Decathlon store in the town of Montélimar, about 87 miles from Grenoble, where he’d been studying abroad
DeLand Jr.’s fellow students reported him missing on November 29, prompting the investigation
DeLand Jr. was expected to leave France on December 15, his father said his son was enjoying his time in France adding that he ‘loves to travel’
The 22-year-old New York college student went missing during a semester abroad in France and was set to graduate in May next year with a dual major in psychology and pre-law
Deland is a senior at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York, who has been studying at the University of Grenoble Alpes, which is 75 miles southeast of Lyon in eastern France, according to his family.
Vaillant said that DeLand Jr. had also mentioned that he ‘wanted to go to Marseille before leaving for the United States.’
But DeLand Jr.’s parents say they can’t understand why they haven’t heard from their son who last made contact on November 27.
‘We just shake our heads,’ DeLand, Sr., told CNN.
‘We don’t understand why he is not reaching out to us if he was reaching out on a daily basis or every other day like he was it is just not characteristic of Kenny.’
DeLand Jr. was expected to leave France on December 15, according to the prosecutor’s statement.
On December 3, Kenneth was spotted on surveillance cameras at the sporting goods store with bank records showing that he made a purchase of $8.40 at 9am.
His family was informed their son was missing by a college liaison worker who contacted them after he failed to report to class and didn’t return to his host family.
Ken’s mom, Carol Laws, said the college filed a missing person’s report because they hadn’t seen him for 24 hours.
His mom Carol Laws (left) said she messages her son, a senior at St John Fisher University in Rochester, New York everyday. He’s spent the past few months studying at the University of Grenoble Alpes
His family’s last contact was a WhatsApp message on November 27 telling them he was taking a train to Valence in southeastern France
The family have launched a website to raise awareness about his missing status
The student was last seen wearing a red jacket, scarf, a gray beanie, blue pants, a black backpack and sneakers. He is about six feet tall and 190 pounds – his family asking for anyone with information to come forward
‘I’m not there I’m here, thousands of miles away,’ Laws said.
DeLand Sr., said: ‘If anybody has a way to help us and find him, help us. With the officials, please help us.’
She said she still messages her son every day: ‘I say Kenny, Kenny just call me. Just pick up the phone, you can talk to me about anything. That’s what I text him, call me, text me, anything,’ his mother said in an appeal today.
DeLand Jr.’s father said his son was enjoying his time in France, adding: ‘He loves to travel so this trip has been something that he’s really looked forward to.’
The family have launched a website to raise awareness about his missing status.
They wrote: ‘We are extremely worried and want him to return home safe. We fear the worst and want him to be located.’
He has been listed on the French missing persons list.
The student was last seen wearing a red jacket, scarf, a gray beanie, blue pants, a black backpack and sneakers. He is about six feet tall and 190 pounds.
In a post to Facebook DeLand Sr. said he, DeLand Jr.’s mother Carol, his wife Jennifer and his brother Zacary were ‘extremely worried.’
‘Our Son, Kenny has been missing since 11/27. The last known photo we have confirmed of him is entering a store and making a small purchase on 12/3 at approximately 9am,’ the post read.
‘Our family has not heard from Kenny nor has his friends spoken to him since 11/27.
‘We are extremely worried and want him to return home safe, please feel share our website which has the most up to date information.’
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