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August 3, 2025

Four Indian-Origin Seniors Go Missing During US Road Trip; Search Intensifies

The CSR Journal Magazine

Four elderly members of an Indian-origin family have gone missing during a road journey from New York to West Virginia, sparking a multi-agency search effort across state lines. Authorities say the group, last seen on July 29, has not been located despite ongoing investigations.

The missing individuals — Dr. Kishore Divan (89), Asha Divan (85), Shailesh Divan (86), and Gita Divan (84) — were traveling from Buffalo, New York, intending to visit Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, a spiritual destination in Marshall County, often visited by ISKCON followers.

Their last confirmed sighting came from surveillance footage showing two of the seniors entering a Burger King on Peach Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. Around the same time, their credit card was used at that location, authorities said.

“They were headed to Pittsburgh and then on to Moundsville, West Virginia,” said Sheriff Mike Dougherty of Marshall County. He added, “We have a few leads, which we and surrounding law enforcement agencies are investigating, but have not yet located the missing persons.”

Missing Family’s Car Spotted on I-79 by License Plate Reader

The family was driving a lime green 2009 Toyota Camry, with a New York license plate (EKW2611). The vehicle was detected later that day by a Pennsylvania State Police license plate reader on Interstate 79, heading south around 2:45 pm.

Despite a prepaid hotel booking at the Palace Lodge near the temple, the group never arrived, and no one has heard from them since, Dougherty confirmed. Cell phone signals linked to the group were later picked up in the early hours of July 31 in the Moundsville and Wheeling areas, but there has been no contact since then.

Authorities have intensified the search operation, involving ground teams and now expanding to include helicopter surveillance, especially in the rugged terrain near their intended destination. “Efforts are being made to locate the missing individuals by tracking their cell phone signals,” the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department shared in a social media update.

A missing persons report was filed in Buffalo, and the vehicle’s information has been added to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Investigators are also working with police in Ohio County, West Virginia, and other agencies along the route.

Community Leaders Appeal for Help in Tracing Missing Seniors

The case has drawn attention from community leaders. Sibu Nair, President of the Council of Heritage and Arts of India (CHAI) in New York, voiced his concern. “Two couples who were traveling are currently missing, and we’re all deeply concerned. If anyone has heard from them or has any updates, please reach out. Hoping they’re safe and will be found soon,” he said.

Nair, who also serves in the New York Governor’s Office, posted on Facebook urging the public to remain alert, especially around the “final 22-minute stretch near the hotel, which is known to be difficult terrain.”

Police have released images of the family members and their car in hopes that public assistance might help generate leads. At the time of writing, however, no breakthroughs have been made.

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