Missing St. John Fisher student located in Spain
A Rochester-area college student who has been missing in Europe for several weeks has been found.
Ken DeLand Jr., a senior at St. John Fisher University who has been studying at the University of Grenoble Alpes in France this semester was missing for more than two weeks. Grenoble prosecutor Eric Vaillant, who had opened an investigation into DeLand Jr's disappearance, confirmed that DeLand Jr. is in Spain and that 21-year-old Ontario County resident spoke with his family on Friday.
Further details were not released, including where DeLand Jr. has been for the past few weeks.
On the website his family launched to help locate DeLand Jr., the family announced that "Kenny has been found," and released a brief statement sharing that DeLand Jr. called his family early Friday morning from Spain. His mother Carol Laws is currently in France and is "preparing to see Kenny and hopefully bring him home for Christmas."
The family credited the media for "diligence and swift attention" in bringing attention to DeLand Jr.s disappearance.
"Without the media's help, Kenny would not have seen himself in the news and reached out to us," the statement read. "We also want to extend our love and appreciation to our fantastic community for rallying together. Without everyone's help, we wouldn't have our son, hopefully, home for Christmas."
St. John Fisher officials also confirmed that DeLand contacted his family and said in a written statement: "We are relieved by this news, and will continue to support Kenneth and his family in any way we can.”
DeLand Jr. was reported missing on Nov. 29 after he missed class. Authorities believed that he left Grenoble voluntarily. He was last spotted in a Decathlon sports store in the town of Montélimar, about 87 miles from Grenoble, on Dec. 3. DeLand's bank statements show that he spent $8.40 in the store and his image was captured by store cameras as he entered the store.
He left his belongings − minus a change of clothing, his wallet and his cell phone − at his host family's home.
DeLand Sr. earlier this week said that his son was enjoying his time abroad, particularly as he traveled. DeLand, who is studying psychology and pre-law at St. John Fisher, had been studying French since he was a middle school student and as an Eagle Scout who enjoys camping, possesses some wilderness skills. He said he can't speak to how well his son made friends while in Grenoble, but said that he felt that even years of studying a foreign language is far different that living in another country and constantly interacting with native French speakers.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Ken DeLand Jr, missing St. John Fisher student, located in Spain
