University of Maryland student Dilan Shaan Ashar missing since 2 October; search continues
Police and family are searching for Dilan Shaan Ashar, 22, last seen on camera at the University of Maryland's Terrapin Trail Garage at about 2:30 am on 2 October. Searches have not found him, and his family has appealed for help.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2Authorities are searching for Dilan Shaan Ashar, a 22-year-old University of Maryland student, who was last seen on camera at about 2:30 am on Friday 2 October 2026 at the Terrapin Trail Garage on the College Park campus, according to the University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD). Hindustan TimesN “Dilan Shaan Ashar was last seen on camera around 2:30 am local time on Friday, October 2, according to the University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD)” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ The Times of IndiaN “Ashar was last seen on surveillance footage at around 2:30 am on October 2 at the Terrapin Trail Garage” Read at The Times of India ↗ Centre · 2Police said he was recorded leaving his residence at about 2 am that day, wearing a black University of Maryland hooded sweatshirt, grey sweatpants and white shoes. He is described as 6 feet 2 inches tall and about 185 pounds. Hindustan TimesN “He was last seen wearing a black University of Maryland hooded sweatshirt, grey sweatpants, and white shoes” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ The Times of IndiaN “Police have described Ashar as 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing about 185 pounds.” Read at The Times of India ↗ Centre · 1His parents last communicated with him at around 6 pm on Thursday 1 October. Campus police and the Prince George's County Police Department (PGPD) met them at about 9:23 am on 2 October, when the parents were "concerned about their son". Hindustan TimesN “Around 9:23 am that day, campus police and the Prince George’s County Police Department met with his parents, who were “concerned about their son,”” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ Hindustan TimesN “The last time Ashar’s parents communicated with him was around 6 pm on Thursday, October 1.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗
Centre · 1UMPD said it began searching with PGPD, and that its Security Operations Center then found Ashar on campus camera footage. Because of that information, UMPD became the lead agency in the search. Hindustan TimesN “Due to this latest information on Dilan’s last known whereabouts, UMPD is now the lead in this search,”” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ Centre · 2Searches so far include a drone and K-9 search of wooded areas near the garage on 3 October. On 4 October, nearly 50 first responders and nine dogs searched about 110 acres around the garage, according to the Times of India. Police also used a drone over the university golf course. Patrol officers have repeatedly checked parking garages, wood lines, Lake Artemesia and nearby parks. UMPD said all searches have "yielded no results". The Times of IndiaN “On October 3, police used a drone to search wooded areas near the Terrapin Trail Garage and later conducted a K-9 search.”“nearly 50 first responders and nine dogs searched approximately 110 acres around the garage” Read at The Times of India ↗ Hindustan TimesN “all the searches have “yielded no results.”” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ Centre · 2On 7 October police released new surveillance images showing Ashar walking outside the garage, along with a video message from his mother. She said: "Dilan, we love you so much and we hope you are safe. We want you home." Hindustan TimesN “The new surveillance photos shared by police show Ashar walking outside of TTG.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ The Times of IndiaN “"Dilan, we love you so much and we hope you are safe. We want you home," said his mother in the recorded video message” Read at The Times of India ↗
Centre · 1His family says he does not have his cell phone, wallet or any identification with him. His mother, Binita Ashar, asked the public in a Facebook post to share the missing-person post and told her son he is "not in trouble". Hindustan TimesN “he is without his cell phone, wallet, and any identification.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ Hindustan TimesN “You are not in trouble, and you don't need to explain anything.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ Centre · 1The family and police are asking people who live or work near the university to check home, vehicle and business security cameras. The Times of India reports police have classified the case as a critical missing-person investigation and will keep rechecking areas already searched. The Times of IndiaN “The case has been classified as a critical missing-person investigation.”“check security-camera footage from their homes, vehicles and businesses” Read at The Times of India ↗ Centre · 2Anyone with information is asked to contact UMPD at 301-405-3555 or submit an anonymous tip through the department's website. Reports give no explanation for his disappearance and no sign of his whereabouts. Hindustan TimesN “Anyone with information about Ashar’s whereabouts is urged to contact UMPD at 301-405-3555” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ The Times of IndiaN “all searches conducted so far have failed to locate Ashar.” Read at The Times of India ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets, Indian centre-labelled, report this as a missing-person case and rely on UMPD statements and the family's appeals. Hindustan Times leads with a 'Who is' explainer and then an update; the Times of India leads with the family's emotional appeal.
- Emphasis
- Police search details, the last sighting, physical description, family appeals and contact details for tips.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither reports any explanation or suspected cause, and neither gives a statement from the university beyond police.
- Charged language
- “emotional appeal”
- For example
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“Parents ‘concerned’ as 22-year-old University of Maryland student disappears; search underway” — Hindustan Times
“Family of missing UMD student Dilan Ashar appeals for help as search enters 5th day” — The Times of India
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Ashar, 22, was last seen on camera at about 2:30 am on 2 October at Terrapin Trail Garage.
- His parents last heard from him around 6 pm on 1 October.
- Searches have not located him.
- He is without his phone, wallet and identification, according to his family.
- Police and family are asking the public to share information and contact UMPD at 301-405-3555.
University of Maryland Police Department organisation
Says it is now the lead agency, has searched repeatedly without result, and asks the public for help and camera footage.
“We will continue to do our part. But we need your help in continuing to look for Dilan,”” — Hindustan Times
Dilan Shaan Ashar person
Missing; his family says he left without his phone, wallet or identification.
“His family said he does not have his cellphone, wallet or identification with him” — The Times of India
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre3 articles
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Neutral Explainer built on UMPD statements and the mother's Facebook post, with a description and tip line.
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Sympathetic Update on new surveillance images and the parents' video message, largely repeating the earlier article.
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Sympathetic Leads with the family's appeal and gives the most detail on searches by drone, K-9 and first responders.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 6 Oct 09:23 First Hindustan TimesN Who is Dilan Shaan Ashar? Parents ‘concerned’ as 22-year-old University of Maryland student disappears; search underway
- 7 Oct 09:45 +24h 22m Hindustan TimesN Dilan Shaan Ashar update: Police release new surveillance images, parents' video message amid search for University of Maryland student
- 7 Oct 17:39 +32h 16m The Times of IndiaN 'We want you home’: Family of missing UMD student Dilan Ashar appeals for help as search enters 5th day
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.