Part of a poster used in search for Jon Lacina.
The search continues today for an Iowa State University student from Grinnell who was last seen on January 22nd. University spokesperson, Anette Hacker, says the father of 21-year-old Jon Lacina called I.S.U. police on Saturday after failing to hear from him.
Hacker says police have been looking for Lacina in Ames all weekend. She says they had 110 trained law enforcement searchers out looking in woods, creek beds, garages, outbuildings in the area from the apartment where Lacina was last seen, to his campus dorm. Dive teams also search Lake Luverne on the Iowa State campus.
The search resumed today with a new focus. Hacker says this morning they were asking custodians and mechanics to look in campus buildings, especially remote areas such as steam tunnels, mechanical rooms and storage closets. A hospital helicopter from Des Moines was also used in the search. Hacker says they need any information that will help them find Lacina.
She says anyone with any information on his wereabouts since January is urger to call I.S.U. police at 515-294-4428, or Ames police at 515-239-5133. I.S.U. police says a check found Lacina’s credit cards and his building card had not been used since the night he was last seen.
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City
Statement released this morning from I.S.U. President Gregory Geoffroy on search for Lucina:
As the search for our missing student, Jonathan Lacina, enters a third day, I ask that all students, faculty and staff be attentive to the extensive activities that are taking place on campus and in surrounding areas of Ames. If you see something unusual or suspicious, or find articles of clothing or personal items, don’t disturb them and immediately call ISU Police at 515-294-4428 or Ames Police at 515-239-5133.The search is being expanded on campus today as staff members check mechanical and maintenance areas, storage rooms and steam tunnels.
I want to thank ISU Police, Ames Police, the Story County Sheriff’s Office, Story County Emergency Management, the Iowa State Patrol, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, STAR 1 Search and Rescue and Mercy One Helicopter for their exhaustive and dedicated search efforts over the weekend. Iowa State University is grateful for this support in seeking answers to the disappearance of Jonathan.
While law enforcement officials have said there is no reason to suspect foul play, this situation is a reminder to all of us to think about personal safety, which includes avoiding remote and unfamiliar areas and traveling in groups, when possible.
Finally, please keep Jonathan and his family utmost in your thoughts and prayers. We hope that the extensive search will find him safe and healthy.