The family of missing student Ethan Peters are coping well with the “horrendous” ordeal, police said today.
Underwater teams were scouring the River Foss today (Thursday) as one line of inquiry into the disappearance of the 20-year-old who was last seen late on Sunday night.
Insp Martin Metcalfe of North Yorkshire police renewed the appeal for information about Ethan, a third year film and television production student at the University of York.
“Ethan was last seen in Coney Street in York city centre at around 11.55pm on Sunday,” he said.
“Ethan’s disappearance is totally out of character and we are keeping an open mind about his disappearance.
“As part of the investigation today, underwater search teams have begun searching the River Foss near the Castle Car Park. That is one line of inquiry we are pursuing.”
Insp Metcalfe said this area of river was on the route from Coney Street to Ethan’s home in the Hull Road area, which is why the search was taking place there.
Have you seen Ethan?
Ethan Peters is slim, 175 cms (5ft 7in) tall and has dark brown hair. He was last seen wearing glasses, jeans or chinos, a black jacket and a navy blue polo shirt.
North Yorkshire Police are appealing for anyone who has seen someone matching Mr Peters’ description, or who knows of his whereabouts, to get in touch immediately by calling 101.
Please quote incident number 12160180683.
Supporting the family
York University has described Ethan as a popular member of the university community, a description Insp Metcalfe reiterated.
He said: “We are working extremely closely with Ethan’s family in respect of this and are providing support at this very difficult time.”
The police have assigned a personal officer to the family, who they are able to contact at any time day or night.
Asked how they were coping Insp Metcalfe said: “It’s horrendous. They are coping remarkably well in my opinion and are being very helpful.
“I’m sure they support the help they are giving at this time.”
He appealed for anybody who was out in York between 10pm on Sunday night and 2am on Monday to think carefully, and if they had any information that might be helpful, to call police.
The inspector said the police had “already received a number of phone calls already that have been very helpful”.