Reward fund grows in search for missing student
May 7 2009
Reward funds have topped $3,000 in the case of missing Indiana State University student Gerald Smith.
The ISU Foundation has received pledges totaling more than $2,000, including $1,000 from the Speedway Lions Club and $1,000 from the parent of another student who has asked to remain anonymous. These amounts are in addition to a reward of up to $1,000 being offered by Wabash Valley Crimestoppers.
Smith, an insurance and risk management major from Avon, was last seen in the early morning hours of May 1 after leaving the Ballyhoo Tavern at Ninth and Chestnut streets, just east of the ISU campus.
University police are continuing to search for a man and woman in a gold Toyota Camry or similar vehicle after a witness reported seeing someone matching Smith’s description talking to the couple in such a vehicle near Second and Canal streets in Terre Haute about one hour after he left the Ballyhoo. A ground search of that area on Wednesday did not produce any evidence in Smith’s disappearance.
Smith is 22 years old. He is five-feet seven-inches tall, weighs 160 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. He wears glasses and has a light beard. When last seen, he was wearing a red Hawaiian shirt, jeans and brown shoes.
Anyone with information about Smith or the occupants of the gold Toyota are urged to contact ISU Public Safety at 812-237-5555 or Crimestoppers at 812-238-STOP. Callers may remain anonymous.
Donations to the additional reward fund being established by the ISU Foundation may be made by calling 812-237-3732.
Contact and writer: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu