COLLEGE PARK, Md. (7News) — A 22-year-old student from the University of Maryland, Dilan Ashar, who went missing from campus, has been found safe after a search that lasted nearly a week. He was discovered on Wednesday night, six days after he was last seen, in a wooded area where he had apparently been residing.
Search and Discovery
Dilan Ashar was located around 7:30 p.m. by Howard County Search and Rescue personnel. According to UMD Police Chief David Mitchell, Ashar emerged from the woods, visibly dehydrated and disoriented. He approached the rescue team’s vehicle and asked, “Are you looking for me?”
Immediately following his discovery, emergency medical teams provided treatment before he was transported to a local hospital for further care.
Initiation of the Search
The search for Ashar commenced on October 2, following a missing-person report filed with the Prince George’s County Police. Concerns escalated after it was confirmed that he had left behind personal items, including his cellphone, identification, and wallet.
Chief Mitchell noted the urgency of the situation: “We had reason to believe that [Ashar] could be in grave danger.” Surveillance footage indicated that Ashar was last seen at the Terrapin Trail Parking Garage early on October 2, heading toward a nearby wooded region.
Extensive Search Efforts
Over the following days, authorities conducted an extensive search operation covering hundreds of acres. This involved a systematic examination of campus buildings and surrounding forests, along with a review of footage from over 1,000 surveillance cameras. Canine units, including bloodhounds, were also deployed to aid in locating Ashar.
Chief Mitchell explained the search’s complexity due to Ashar being without electronic devices that could have helped track his movements. “Our strategy involved performing grid searches and utilizing all of our available resources, including canines,” he stated.
Emotional Reunion
Upon being reunited with his family, including his parents and older brother, the emotional moment was underscored by Chief Mitchell’s comments on the joy of the reunion, which he described as “hard to put into words.”
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine the circumstances surrounding Ashar’s disappearance, with Mitchell noting, “I can’t say or pinpoint one exact thing that caused Dylan to walk out of the woods.” He shared that a heartfelt public plea from Ashar’s family likely contributed to his return.
University Response
The University of Maryland’s President, Darryll Pines, expressed relief and gratitude upon hearing the news of Ashar’s safe recovery, stating, “As you can imagine, I was overjoyed to learn this news and truly happy for our entire University of Maryland community, and particularly for the Ashar family.”
President Pines also acknowledged the collaborative effort among law enforcement, first responders, students, and the media during the search.
Next Steps
Investigators plan to interview Ashar once he is medically stable to uncover further details regarding his time in the woods.
For ongoing updates and details about this developing story, stay connected with local news sources.
