Missing College Students: Chicago University's Dark Secret

The University of Chicago is a private institution with a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,489 students as of Fall 2023. The university has a rigorous academic program and is ranked #11 in National Universities in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges. In 2022, a University of Chicago sophomore, Diwen Fan, was reported missing and was later reunited with his family. While there is limited information on the number of missing college students at the University of Chicago, this incident raises awareness of the importance of student safety and the need for effective policies and procedures to handle such situations.

Diwen Fan, 20, went missing in May 2022

Diwen Fan, a 20-year-old second-year biology student at the University of Chicago, went missing in May 2022. He was last seen on May 5, 2022, leaving the University of Chicago campus on his bike with a full backpack. There was surveillance footage of him at 5:15 pm near his dorm at 61st and Woodlawn, and he appeared calm and was wearing tidy clothes and a mask.

Fan had recently moved to Chicago from China and was about to start his junior year. His family, who live in Beijing, were concerned about his mental health due to a note found in his dorm room and believed his life might be in danger. They also stated that he had an unsatisfactory academic record. Fan's family offered a $10,000 reward for any information that could help locate him and hired attorneys to help with the search and communicate with the press.

The University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) investigated Fan's disappearance in coordination with other law enforcement agencies. The UCPD released a statement expressing their collaboration with law enforcement and Fan's family and their hopes for his safe return.

Three months after his disappearance, Diwen Fan was found safe and reunited with his family. He had been working at a charitable organization in Los Angeles for two months.

Fan was last seen leaving his dorm room

Diwen Fan, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Chicago, was reported missing on May 4, 2022. He was last seen leaving his dorm room on May 5, according to the family's lawyer, Yilun Hu. The family offered a $10,000 reward to find him a month later, in June.

Fan's disappearance sparked a search effort, with the university community and officials involved in trying to locate him. The details of his disappearance were not provided by officials, but his family's lawyer mentioned that there was an indication of an "unsatisfactory academic record" for the student.

Fortunately, Fan was safely reunited with his family, as announced by the Dean of Students, John Ellison, in an email to the school community. The date of this announcement is not specified, but it was made after Fan was reported missing and before December 20, 2024, when a news article covering the story was published.

Fan and his family visited the campus to express their gratitude to the university community for their support during this challenging time. The university affirmed its commitment to continue supporting Fan and his family moving forward.

His family offered a $10,000 reward for information

The family of Diwen Fan, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Chicago, offered a $10,000 reward for information on his whereabouts. Fan was reported missing on May 4, 2022, after he was last seen leaving his dorm room on May 5. His family posted the reward about a month later in June.

Fan's disappearance sparked a search that lasted for about two to three months before he was safely reunited with his family. The details of Fan's disappearance are unclear, and officials have not provided any information about what happened during that time. However, it was revealed that there were indications that Fan had an "unsatisfactory academic record," and his parents released a statement asking him not to be frustrated by things beyond his control.

The case of Fan is not an isolated incident. In a similar case, the FBI offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the whereabouts of Yingying Zhang, a 26-year-old visiting scholar from China who went missing near the University of Illinois campus in Urbana. Zhang was last seen getting into a black Saturn Astra on June 9, 2017, and her disappearance is being investigated as a kidnapping.

The University of Chicago and the authorities worked together to locate Fan and supported his family during this challenging time. The university's community played a crucial role in the search efforts, and the family expressed their gratitude to everyone involved. The university also assured the family of their continued support moving forward.

Fan was reunited with his family after two months

Diwen Fan, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Chicago, was last seen leaving his dorm room on May 5. After being reported missing on May 4, 2022, Fan was reunited with his family two months later, following a $10,000 reward offered by his family to find him. The University of Chicago community played a crucial role in the search for Fan, with Dean of Students John Ellison expressing gratitude for their support. Ellison also assured that the university would continue to provide assistance to Fan and his family in the future.

Fan's disappearance raised concerns about his well-being, with officials and his family's lawyer, Yilun Hu, seeking to locate him. The family's lawyer suggested that Fan's academic record may have been a factor, indicating that he had an "unsatisfactory academic record." In response, Fan's parents released a statement encouraging him not to be discouraged by challenges beyond his control.

The University of Chicago community's efforts, combined with the family's reward, ultimately led to the successful reunion of Fan with his loved ones. The university's involvement demonstrates its commitment to the safety and well-being of its students, and the family's gratitude was evident as they visited the campus to express their appreciation.

The specific details surrounding Fan's disappearance remain undisclosed by officials. However, the reunion brings relief and closure to the University of Chicago community, especially those who were involved in the search efforts. The incident underscores the importance of support systems and the willingness to help others in times of need.

No details on Fan's disappearance were provided by officials

Diwen Fan, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Chicago, was reported missing on May 4, 2022. He was last seen leaving his university dorm room on May 5, according to the family's lawyer, Yilun Hu. A month after his disappearance, Fan's family offered a $10,000 reward for any information that would lead to his safe return.

Fortunately, Fan was safely reunited with his family, as announced by Dean of Students John Ellison in an email to the school community. However, officials have not provided any details on Fan's disappearance. This lack of information has left many questions unanswered and has sparked curiosity among the community.

The family's lawyer, Yilun Hu, revealed that there was an indication that Fan had an "unsatisfactory academic record." In response, Fan's parents released a statement, encouraging their son not to be frustrated by things beyond his control. This statement hints at a potential reason for his disappearance, but without official details, it remains a speculation.

The University of Chicago community expressed their relief and support for Fan and his family. Dean Ellison mentioned that the university would continue to offer their support to Diwen and his family moving forward. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing mental health and well-being, especially among college students facing academic pressures.

While the reunion brings closure to the immediate concern for Fan's safety, the lack of official details on his disappearance leaves a lingering sense of uncertainty. It is understandable that sensitive information may be withheld to protect Fan's privacy and ensure his well-being. However, the absence of information also creates a knowledge gap that can fuel speculation and hinder a broader understanding of the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

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