By Hailey Heinz
A freshman who unexpectedly boarded a flight to London Oct. 28 is still missing and has made no contact with his family or any authorities, said Associate Director of Public Safety James Ferrier.
William Lamar has now been missing for 18 days, and has not used his debit card since he drained his checking account to purchase his airplane ticket, Ferrier said. However, it isn’t surprising that he hasn’t used the card, since he probably knows his account is depleted, he said.
Northeastern Public Safety has been working with Lamar’s family to spread the word internationally about his disappearance, Ferrier said. There are flyers up in various international airports, as well as youth hostels throughout England and several other European countries.
There is particular emphasis on Germany, because Lamar has a keen interest in Germany and its culture, and is fluent in the language, Ferrier said. He added other key places they are searching include emergency rooms and college campuses.
Northeastern has also sent out an e-mail notice to all alumni in Europe, encouraging them to keep an eye out for Lamar, said Vice President for Student Affairs Ed Klotzbier.
“They’re really leaving no stone unturned,” Klotzbier said.
Lamar has Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism most commonly marked by difficulty socializing with others.
The only new development was a false sighting of Lamar last week in an airport in Maine, Ferrier said. A passenger reported he may have seen Lamar in Portland International Airport, but when the security tape was replayed, it turned out not to be him, Ferrier said.
Neighbors and friends, as well as state and federal representatives, have helped the family cope, said Bruce Lamar, William’s father.
“Our friends and neighbors have been a tremendous help during this time,” his father said.
Northeastern President Richard Freeland called the family last week to express his concern and offer the university’s assistance, his father said.
“We really appreciated that call,” he said.
Lamar will be listed as a missing person until he is found, Ferrier said.
“Once the trail is cold, it’s just a matter of getting it posted everywhere that we think he might be,” Ferrier said.
Since Lamar is 18, and therefore an adult, he cannot be forced to return home even if he is found, Ferrier said. The message is simply that his family wants him to contact them.
“We really miss William. We miss him so much,” his father said.
Because of the high costs of an international search effort, in addition to the cost of treatment for his father’s Parkinson’s Disease, the family has set up a fund at Sovereign Bank in Lexington. The fund, called the William Lamar and Family Help Fund, is coordinated by Neerja Kalloo, who can be reached at 781-676-0301.
