Daijiworld Media Network - New York
New York, Aug 3: In a concerning development, four Indian-origin senior citizens from New York have gone missing while travelling to a spiritual destination in West Virginia. Authorities confirmed they were last seen on July 29 at a Burger King outlet in Pennsylvania.
The missing individuals have been identified as Asha Divan (85), Kishore Divan (89), Shailesh Divan (86), and Gita Divan (84). The elderly group was en route from Buffalo, New York, to Prabhupada's Palace of Gold in Marshall County, West Virginia — a well-known spiritual retreat.
They were travelling in a 2009 lime green Toyota Camry with New York license plate EKW2611. Surveillance footage from the Burger King captured two members of the group entering the premises, with their last credit card activity also linked to that location.
A Pennsylvania State Police license plate reader later detected the car heading south on Interstate 79 at around 2:45 pm on Tuesday, according to authorities.
Marshall County Sheriff Mike Dougherty stated, “The family was headed to Pittsburgh and then onward to Moundsville, West Virginia. We have a few leads but have not yet been able to locate them.”
Search efforts have intensified, with deputies from both Marshall and Ohio counties patrolling local roads. Helicopters are expected to assist the search operation starting Sunday. The vehicle has also been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.
A missing persons report was filed in Buffalo, and officials are now attempting to trace the group’s mobile phone signals. A poster with the names and photographs of the missing seniors is being widely circulated online, urging the public to come forward with any information.
The Council of Heritage and Arts of India (CHAI), a nonprofit based in Williamsville, New York, is actively raising awareness. CHAI President Sibu Nair expressed deep concern, stating, “Two couples who were traveling are currently missing, and we're all deeply concerned. Hoping they're safe and will be found soon.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Marshall County Sheriff's Office at 304-843-5422.