An Indian-origin family of four has gone missing in the United States during a road trip, sparking an active search by authorities. The family, identified as Asha Divan (85), Kishore Divan (89), Shailesh Divan (86), and Gita Divan (84), were last seen on Tuesday, July 29, at a Burger King in Erie, Pennsylvania.
The Divans were traveling in a light green Toyota Camry with New York license plate EKW2611. Their trip originated in Buffalo, New York, and they were en route to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with plans to continue to Moundsville, West Virginia. In Moundsville, they had prepaid for lodging at Prabhupada's Palace of Gold, a religious retreat; however, they never checked in.
The Marshall County Sheriff's Office reported that a Pennsylvania State Trooper's License Plate Reader detected their car heading south on Interstate 79 around 2:45 PM on July 29. Surveillance footage from the Burger King on Peach Street in Erie shows two of the family members entering the restaurant around the time they were last heard from. Their most recent credit card transaction also occurred at that location, confirming it as their last verified stop.
After their last sighting, cell tower data picked up signals from their devices around 3:00 AM on Wednesday in the Moundsville and Wheeling areas. However, there has been no further trace since then. Authorities have been unable to reach the family members, as none of them have answered their phones since Tuesday.
Marshall County Sheriff Bill Helms Dougherty told WTOV News9 that law enforcement agencies are investigating several leads but have not yet located the missing persons. Photos of the missing individuals, their vehicle, and stills from the Burger King security footage have been released to the public to aid in the search. A missing persons report has been filed in Buffalo, and the Marshall County Sheriff's Office is working with local and regional law enforcement agencies to trace the Divan family's whereabouts. Deputies from both Marshall and Ohio counties in West Virginia have been searching nearby roadways. Authorities announced that helicopters would join the operation on Sunday to aid in the search.
The Council of Heritage and Arts of India (CHAI), a nonprofit based in Williamsville, New York, has joined efforts to raise awareness. CHAI President Sibu Nair expressed deep concern and urged the public to come forward with any information.
The Marshall County Sheriff's Office urges anyone with information to contact them at 304-843-5422.