University of Maryland student found after emerging from woods: "Are you looking for me?"

When University of Maryland (UMD) student Dilan Ashar was found Wednesday after a five-day search, he was dehydrated, scared and hungry, the school's police chief said Thursday.     

The 22-year-old Ashar emerged from a wooded area on the UMD campus days after he was last seen on Oct. 2. An intense search for the student involved multiple police agencies and was supported by student groups and university leaders. 

"Dilan was found when he walked out of the western part of a heavily wooded area across from our XFINITY Center," UMD's Chief of Police David B. Mitchell told a news conference on Thursday. 

"Dilan came out of the woods and he knocked on the driver's side window of Howard County search and rescue, and said, 'Are you looking for me?'" he added.

Unanswered questions

Mitchell said Ashar was immediately transported for medical treatment, but he did not appear to have physical injuries. 

The student told police after being found that he had been in the woods, and pointed out a couple of landmarks that searchers were aware of, said Mitchell. He added that there are still unanswered questions about his disappearance and what prompted Ashar to come out of the woods when he did. 

"I like to think that the statement that was released by Dilan's mom, his father and his brother, very tearfully, pleading for his return, had something to do with that," Mitchell said.   

Officials said agencies involved in the search had used dogs, drones and thermal cameras in the effort to locate the student.

Ashar had no traceable electronics  

When investigators realized that Ashar didn't have an electronic device with him, it really "compounded the investigation," Mitchell said. "Had he had a phone, we could have pinged it. If he had had a laptop, we could have pinged it," he added.

Before locating Ashar, Mitchell said, "we had reason to believe that he could be in grave danger." Without getting into details, the police chief said, "Based on my experience, and our experience, what he left behind definitely led us to believe that this was a young guy in need of immediate attention and assistance. And that's why we were all hands on deck with our search."

"Our family is together again"  

The university's Vice President for Student Affairs, Patty Perillo, read a statement provided by Dilan's parents and brother. 

"Dilan is safe. And our family is together again. As parents and brother, we can't fully put into words what that means to us," she read. 

The statement also thanked university officials and the police agencies involved in the search. "They brought in local, state and federal agencies, searched with dogs, drones and thermal cameras, and worked day and night until Dilan was found," it said. 

The statement continued, "Dilan especially wants to thank the students who put up flyers all over campus and the community. We will never forget." 

Last seen on surveillance video

Before he was found, Ashar had last been seen on surveillance video at the Terrapin Trail Garage on the University of Maryland campus around 2:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, according to police.

The garage is on the north side of campus near the university's athletic facilities. It backs up to the university's facilities management area and a wooded area. Police said Ashar was last seen walking across a bridge near the garage.

Investigators conducted a "methodical search" covering approximately 110 acres near the garage. Police also used a drone to search the wooded area and the university's golf course.

Officers conducted routine patrols near parking garages, wooded areas, Lake Artemesia and nearby parks during the search.

Police released new photos of Ashar on Tuesday and called the case a critical missing-person investigation, asking the public for help finding him.

Ashar's family also made an emotional plea for his safe return in a video posted by UMPD.

The family said Ashar did not have his cellphone, wallet or identification with him when he disappeared.

"Dilan, we love you so much and we hope you are safe. We want you home," his mother said.