As family and friends of missing University of Illinois student Iñaki Bascaran gathered Monday to search for clues about his disappearance in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, his father provided more details about the events that led up to him leaving an area bar on the morning he vanished.
Bascaran’s father José spoke to reporters outside of Celeste, the bar in the 100 block of West Hubbard where his son had gone with three friends on Saturday evening.
"He's a really good kid. This is not something that he would do," José Bascaran said. "There's a reason he's not getting in contact with us."
He says that his son was last seen by his friends at approximately 11:30 p.m. After sending multiple text messages that he had tried unsuccessfully to get back into the bar, he called his roommate just after midnight to tell him that he was next to a Walgreen's, and that he was coming home.
After that, his family believes that his phone died, because all calls and text messages sent to him since that time were left unanswered and unread.
Monday's search focused on alleyways near the bar where he was last seen. The family also told a local law firm that they would search on Lower Wacker Drive for signs of the 23-year-old.
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Bascaran is described by Chicago police as a Hispanic male, with light complexion, green eyes and brown hair. He stands 5-feet-9 inches tall and weighs approximately 165 pounds. His family says he was wearing blue pants, a gray long-sleeve shirt and possibly a brown or beige jacket when he was last seen.
Anyone with information on his disappearance is encouraged to call Chicago police at 312-744-8266, and José Bascaran says that a website has been set up for those who have tips or information about his whereabouts.
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“Anyone who has information, even though they might think that it is not as relevant, you never know,” he said. “It is very important that they communicate that information because it can make a difference in the process. We are very grateful for any support.”
