By Cait Heiderman
Search efforts conducted by the University of Maryland Police Department have yielded no results in locating missing UMD student Dilan Shaan Ashar.
UMPD is asking for the community’s help locating Ashar, 22, who was last seen on surveillance video at about 2:30 a.m. Oct. 2 at Terrapin Trail Garage on the UMD campus, according to UMPD.
Since Ashar was initially reported missing on Oct. 2, patrol officers have conducted recurring searches of parking garages, wood lines, the Lake Artemesia Natural Area at Lakeland and other nearby parks, according to police.
UMPD conducted a search with close to 50 first responders and nine dogs on the morning of Oct. 4 in the area of the Terrapin Trail Garage. Ashar was not located during this search effort, which covered approximately 110 acres of land, according to police.
In addition, police conducted a K-9-assisted track of the wooded area around Terrapin Trail Garage on Oct. 3. UMPD used a drone for an aerial search of the area around Terrapin Trail Garage on Oct. 3 and the area around UMD’s golf course on Oct. 4.
UMPD and the Prince George’s County Police Department met with Ashar’s parents at about 9:23 a.m. on Oct. 2 after they reported concern about his whereabouts, according to police.
Ashar is about 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 185 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black UMD hooded sweatshirt, grey sweatpants and white shoes, according to a UMPD press release.
In a video UMPD released, Ashar’s family says he is without his cell phone, wallet or personal identification.
UMPD said Ashar was seen leaving his residence at about 2 a.m. Oct. 2, before he was captured on surveillance video at the garage. UMPD’s Security Operations Center located surveillance footage of Ashar on campus, according to UMPD.
Ashar is a senior psychology honors student who transferred to UMD from the College of William and Mary in 2025, according to his LinkedIn profile.
UMPD and PGCPD are working together to search for Ashar.
Anyone with information about Ashar’s whereabouts is asked to call UMPD at 301-405-3555.
Featured Image: The University of Maryland Police Department is asking for help finding Dilan Shaan Ashar, a UMD student who was last seen on campus Friday. Photo courtesy of UMPD.