Associated Press
04-03-07
Search continues for missing ISU student
AMES, Iowa (AP) — Teams of Iowa State University students and other
volunteers were joining trained searchers, the Civil Air Patrol and law
enforcement today to search for a missing student.
Abel Bolanos, 19, a sophomore from Rolling Meadows, Ill., a Chicago suburb,
disappeared last weekend. Iowa State police said he had been drinking at an offcampus party before he disappeared Saturday between 4 and 4:30 a.m.
The university said groups of 60 volunteers will assist searchers in three shifts
on Tuesday.
``Our hope is that we find Abel soon,'' Dean of Students Dione Somerville
said. ``We are committing all available resources and continue to work with ISU
police, other agencies and Abel's family to bring him home safely.
His sister begged for his safe return on Monday, saying he would never have
disappeared on his own.
``This is not like him,'' Marivelle Bolanos said at a news conference outside
Wallace Hall, a residence hall where her brother lives. ``Our whole family back
home is very concerned.''
Abel Bolanos left his keys to his dorm room and his car at the party.
On Monday, teams of ISU students searched residential areas near that
apartment complex.
The search included help from the Iowa State Patrol, which used an aircraft
with heat-detection capability to search for Bolanos in Ames on Sunday night.
Area law enforcement officials have searched all the rooms in Bolanos'
residence hall and the rooms of an unoccupied residence hall next to it, said
Cmdr. Gene Deisinger of the ISU police department.
Bolanos was drinking at the party before he disappeared but was not upset
before he left, Deisinger said.
``The search is based on concerns on Abel's welfare,'' said Deisinger. He
added that police believe no foul play was involved in his disappearance.
``We're very concerned if he's been out in the environment,'' Deisinger said.