A New York college student who had been missing for three weeks has been found safe in northeastern Pennsylvania, authorities said.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Wednesday that Matthew Grant, 22, has been located and reunited with his family.
Grant, a Rochester Institute of Technology student who was last seen on Nov. 20, turned himself in at the Palmerton police station around 4 p.m. local time, according to NBC affiliate WHEC-TV.
The student called his family on the phone and told authorities he believed he was the subject of a missing person’s report, police told WHEC.
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On Tuesday, Grant’s Jeep Cherokee was located about an hour’s drive away in Delaware Water Gap, a parking lot used by hikers near the Appalachian Trail, the station reported.
The development triggered a search and rescue effort Wednesday, with about 30 firefighters searching the area, which features rocky terrain and cliffs, according to the report.
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His parents in Michigan, who had already been alerted to the news that their son’s car had been found, were on their way to Pennsylvania when Grant turned himself in, according to WHEC.
According to WHEC, Grant ended his hike after reporting to authorities that he had a “negative” encounter with someone. He then met with the US Park Service Police at the Delaware Water Gap, where he was later reunited with his mother.
Family members posted a statement from Grant on Facebook Thursday morning in which he admitted he was “much better now.”
“Hello everyone, this is Matthew Grant,” the student wrote. “I want to say a big thank you to everyone who helped with the search process. I am incredibly grateful to have people like you in my corner.”
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“It’s hard to fathom how much support you’re going to have, no matter how you feel personally,” Grant continued. “I’m doing much better now that I’m reunited with my family. It means the world to me. I don’t have my phone right now, but as soon as I do, I’ll try to thank each person I can individually. I can’t say it enough, thank you so much.”
RIT also released a statement about the happy outcome for Grant, who is co-captain of the school’s wrestling team.
“During this ordeal, the care, encouragement and assistance of this campus has been unwavering in its efforts to aid the search,” wrote Sandra Johnson, senior vice president, student affairs. “I want to thank the RIT community for their continued support in locating Matthew.”
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Source: HIS Education