Police in Utah say student feared kidnapped may be ‘camping’
Authorities in the United States, initially fearing the abduction of a missing Chinese exchange student, now suggest he may be engaged in camping. Kai Zhuang, a 17-year-old student, was last seen at his host family’s residence in Riverdale, Utah, on Wednesday.
Concerns about his well-being were raised by the school on Thursday, following communication from his parents in China.
Initially, there were reports of a ransom demand and a photo suggesting abduction, but a subsequent statement from the Riverdale Police Department indicated they now have grounds to believe Kai might be camping in a tent in the Wasatch Front area of Utah, as reported by 2KUTV, an affiliate of CBS News, the BBC’s US partner.
Undated CCTV images released by the force on Saturday showed him walking through a shop. He reportedly bought camping supplies several times recently.
Police say they are worried Kai could be in danger because of the cold weather.
Officers also said he had interactions with police in nearby Provo on 20 December and had camping gear with him at the time.
In a press conference on Thursday, Riverdale police chief Casey Warren said there was no evidence Kai had been forcibly taken from his host home.
A missing person alert was issued for the teenager.
