Missing Kan. college student texted run-in with drunk man

By: Barry Leibowitz
Topics: Daily Blotter

Aisha Khan

/ via Facebook

(CBS/KCTV) OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Overland Park police say they are treating the disappearance of a 19-year-old college student as an abduction.

On Friday, a spokesman for the Overland Park police told CBS affiliate KCTV that officers did not suspect foul play in the case of Aisha Khan. But since then, Khan's family members have revealed troubling details about her last contact with them.

Police Chief John Douglass said Monday that four FBI agents and other law enforcement agencies are assisting in the search.

Khan was studying for finals at the Kansas University-Edwards campus and had sent text messages to her family just before noon Friday. Khan said a drunk man was harassing her, and she had slapped him, according to KCTV.

Khan's brother said it is unlike his sister to do this and disappear. She loved her family, she loved her religion and was very happy.

Shortly after receiving the texts, Khan's cousin found her personal belongings sitting out on a bench.

Family members, friends, fellow college students and construction workers in the area in which she was last seen have been interviewed.

Douglass said detectives are treating the case as if the worst happened to Khan, KCTV reported.

"We are looking it as a missing persons case and we are putting resources into it as if it were an abduction," Douglass said. "We are going to be on this as if it were an abduction . . .. If it turns out otherwise, so be it."

The police chief spoke on the same day that her family announced a $10,000 reward.

Khan recently married and lived in Olathe with her husband. Douglass said the husband is cooperating with police and is not considered a person of interest.

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by oldabner December 21, 2011 2:33 PM EST: ????; Reply to this comment


by pammmmmm December 20, 2011 12:54 PM EST: Up here in Canada we are dealing with a father and brother as well as a mother that killed their three daughters and put them in a car and pushed it into the water to make it look like a joy ride gone bad. The girls were intent on leaving there Muslim faith.; Reply to this comment


by Rodeo_Joe December 20, 2011 10:42 AM EST: Police are searching for a drunk man in Kansas.

They really got their work cut out for them.; Reply to this comment


by lilbear925 December 20, 2011 10:34 AM EST: Too tied up with TEXTING to call 911!; Reply to this comment


by Drivelphobe001 December 20, 2011 10:04 AM EST: Why did the brother make it a point to say " she loved her religion"? Something about "honor" comes to mind. Wait and see what else comes up. This story isn't over.; Reply to this comment

by longtree-2009 December 20, 2011 4:47 AM EST

instead of texting family why not call police? if she had to slap someone, it's time to call the police not text family. it's what police are for no matter where you are across the nation.

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by you_MAY_be_right December 20, 2011 8:24 AM EST: She is 19, young, and foolish.

My step daughter gets in accident and doesn't call me or her mother, she calls a friend to bring her home. We find out two days later that her car has been impounded. Why didn't she say something? Because she was "busy" with school.

19-y-o aren't the sharpest people in the world.


by pak31 December 20, 2011 8:50 AM EST: I agree longtree. If she was that bothered why didn't she get up and walk away?? I have read she was outside, was no one else around?? 19 is young but old enough to know what to do if you are in trouble. Scream, yell, run away, those are basic things even a 10 year old knows to do. If you feel threatened you are going to text your family and tell them about it without getting the heck out of there? At least she did so they knew something was up but still. I will be interested in hearing any witness statements. There could be more to the story but hope she's okay either way.