On behalf of the Office of Student Affairs and the Notre Dame Security/Police Department (NDSP), I write to you regarding the investigation of our missing student, Chad Sharon. Chad was reported missing from a party on Corby Boulevard (just south of campus) in the early morning hours of Dec. 12. He was last seen at the party around 2 a.m. A security officer at the Madison Center Hospital on Niles Avenue (just a few blocks from the party) reports talking to someone similar in appearance to Chad around 4 o’clock that morning. The person the officer talked to was given directions to the convenience store at Niles and LaSalle streets about two blocks farther south. Investigators could not locate anyone who actually saw this person in the store, nor was he viewed on the in-store videotape.p. The Notre Dame Security/Police Department has conducted neighborhood searches and interviews and also has requested the assistance of several other agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). South Bend Police Department and NDSP officers have conducted several on-foot searches in the neighborhood where Chad was last seen. The South Bend Fire Department has been searching the river on a frequent basis with their rescue and recovery boats. The Northern Indiana Search and Rescue Team conducted extensive searches on several days using both tracking and recovery dogs. The Indiana State Police supplied investigative resources as well as a helicopter to conduct an aerial search of the neighborhood and St. Joseph River area as well as remote campus locations. The FBI reviewed several other missing student cases in the Midwest and compared this case with that information but found no apparent connections.p. We have conducted frequent press briefings to keep the search for Chad active, and the search has received some national news coverage. In addition, the University has posted a reward of up to $25,000 for credible information leading to Chad’s safe return or to verified communication with him by University officials.p. While we have interviewed many students and others who have known Chad or have offered investigative leads, we continue to ask that anyone with any information about Chad, particularly in the time immediately prior to his disappearance, contact NDSP at 631-5555 or the NDSP tip line at 631-8000. Chad’s photograph and additional NDSPD information may be found at http://www.nd.edu/~ndspd/.. p. Please keep Chad Sharon and his family in your prayers.
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