Current:Home > MarketsProfessor who never showed up for class believed to be in danger: Police -Thrive Financial Network
Professor who never showed up for class believed to be in danger: Police
View
Date:2025-04-16 13:01:43
A professor at an upstate New York university is believed to be in danger after he never showed up to teach on Saturday, police said.
Heikki Rantakari, 44, a professor at the University of Rochester, was last seen Friday night, Rochester police said.
He was reported missing after he did not show up to teach a scheduled class on campus on Saturday morning, the university said.
MORE: Missing 9-year-old girl Charlotte Sena found in 'good health,' suspect in custody: Police
Police said Rantakari checked into his Airbnb, which is within walking distance of the university, after arriving in Rochester from Boston Friday night, Rochester ABC affiliate WHAM reported.
"We did find evidence that he was there, so we do know he did check into his Airbnb on Friday," Rochester Police Capt. Greg Bello told WHAM. "Now it's a matter of what happened from there, and that's what we're trying to track down."
Bello said Rantakari has family in Boston that is concerned, and that it is unlike him to not attend his classes.
"Obviously, it's concerning that he flew here for a specific meeting, to teach a specific class or multiple classes, and has not shown up for them -- which is what we're told is far outside his norm," Bello told WHAM.
MORE: Why the first 72 hours in a missing persons investigation are the most critical, according to criminology experts
Police are urging anyone with information on his whereabouts to call 911.
"We need that public assistance," Bello told WHAM. "We need that help getting the message out so that we can confirm he's OK. Because at this point we do believe he may be in danger."
Rantakari is an associate professor of economics and management at the University of Rochester's Simon Business School. He began at the university in 2015.
"We're asking for the public's support in reporting anything that relates to Professor Rantakari's whereabouts by calling 911," the university said in a statement. "The University is hopeful that he is found safe very soon."
veryGood! (946)
Related
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- RHOC Star Gina Kirschenheiter’s CaraGala Skincare Line Is One You’ll Actually Use
- Why Florida's new immigration law is troubling businesses and workers alike
- Mega Millions jackpot grows to $820 million. See winning numbers for July 21.
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Republicans Are Primed to Take on ‘Woke Capitalism’ in 2023, with Climate Disclosure Rules for Corporations in Their Sights
- Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann Call Off Divorce 2 Months After Filing
- Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann Call Off Divorce 2 Months After Filing
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Boeing finds new problems with Starliner space capsule and delays first crewed launch
Ranking
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Hollywood writers still going strong, a month after strike began
- CBO says debt ceiling deal would cut deficits by $1.5 trillion over the next decade
- Colleen Ballinger's Team Sets the Record Straight on Blackface Allegations
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- When an Oil Well Is Your Neighbor
- Save 45% On the Cult Favorite Philosophy 3-In-1 Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath
- Britney Spears Condemns Security Attack as Further Evidence of Her Not Being Seen as an Equal Person
Recommendation
Trump's 'stop
CBO says debt ceiling deal would cut deficits by $1.5 trillion over the next decade
In Pakistan, 33 Million People Have Been Displaced by Climate-Intensified Floods
'Los Angeles Times' to lay off 13% of newsroom
San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
Journalists at Gannett newspapers walk out over deep cuts and low pay
Spare a thought for Gustavo, the guy delivering your ramen in the wildfire smoke
Ashley Benson Is Engaged to Oil Heir Brandon Davis: See Her Ring