4 Of Indian-Origin Family Go Missing In US, Last Seen At Burger Shop
Asha Divan (85), Kishore Divan (89), Shailesh Divan (86), and Gita Divan (84) were travelling from Buffalo to Prabhupada's Palace of Gold in Marshall County, West Virginia.
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- From: India News Bull
Police report having "several leads" in the case
Four elderly Indian-origin individuals from New York have disappeared while traveling to a spiritual destination in West Virginia, according to police reports. Their last confirmed sighting was at a Burger King restaurant in Pennsylvania on July 29.
The missing persons have been identified as Asha Divan (85), Kishore Divan (89), Shailesh Divan (86), and Gita Divan (84). The group was traveling from Buffalo to visit Prabhupada's Palace of Gold in Marshall County, West Virginia, driving a 2009 lime green Toyota Camry with New York license plate number EKW2611.
Security camera footage from the Burger King showed two members of the family entering the establishment, with their final known credit card purchase also occurring at this location. Following this, a Pennsylvania State Police license plate reader detected their vehicle moving southbound on Interstate 79 at approximately 2:45 pm Tuesday.
"The family was en route to Pittsburgh before continuing to Moundsville, West Virginia," stated Marshall County Sheriff Mike Dougherty, noting that despite having "several leads," authorities have not yet located the missing individuals.
Law enforcement officers from both Marshall and Ohio counties in West Virginia have been searching the surrounding roadways. Officials have announced that helicopter support will be added to the search efforts beginning Sunday.
The vehicle information has been entered into the National Crime Information Center database, and a missing persons report was filed in Buffalo, New York.
The Council of Heritage and Arts of India (CHAI), a nonprofit organization based in Williamsville, New York, has also joined efforts to raise awareness about the disappearance.
"Two couples who were traveling are currently missing, and we're all deeply concerned. If anyone has heard from them or has any updates, please reach out. Hoping they're safe and will be found soon," CHAI President Sibu Nair was quoted as saying by a news agency.
According to a Facebook statement from the sheriff's department, "efforts are being made to locate the missing individuals by tracking their cell phone signals."
A missing persons poster circulating online displays the names and photographs of the missing individuals, requesting that anyone with information contact authorities. The Marshall County Sheriff's Office has asked people to report any information to 304-843-5422.