Shuman-Moore Update

Updated Wednesday 9/27 at 5:29 p.m.
Grinnell Police Chief Jody Matherly held a press conference at 3 p.m. today, but had no substantial new information. Another press conference is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight outside the Security office at 1432 East St.

Over 300 personnel continue to search for Paul Shuman-Moore ’09 starting at 7 a.m. Wednesday morning. The search is principally focused on a 3-mile radius around Grinnell. An investigative team is also searching through electronic information, bank accounts, and interviewing witnesses to try to gain more information to help searchers.

Shuman-Moore’s family asked Kate Worster Foster '87, director of Communication for Grinnell College, to thank everyone who has helped with the search.

Worster Foster said that authorities have confirmed that Shuman-Moore was “despondent” at the time of his disappearance. This “heightens our concern for his welfare,” Worster Foster said.

Grinnell Police Chief Jody Matherly, who is coordinating the search efforts, said that while investigations are still underway, Shuman-Moore did not appear to have taken any personal effects with him.

At a press conference after searching ended at 7 p.m. last night, Matherly said that there was no reason to suspect an abduction, assault or any foul play. “He is just missing at this point,” Matherly said.

“We have an individual here who is a good son, a good student, he is a nice person and to just take off like this is out of character,” he added.

Students interested in searching for Shuman-Moore are encouraged to participate in the official search and not to go out on their own. The next search will stage at noon today and leave at 1 p.m. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing, including long pants, sleeves, and closed-toe shoes.

The search parties this morning include over 200 volunteers, and more than 160 personnel from 14 different civil agencies. Several airplanes are conducting aerial searches, and authorities have horses on standby to traverse difficult terrain.

Grinnell Security can be reached at 641-269-4600.
The Grinnell Police Department can be reached at 641-236-2650.

—Sarah Pierce contributed reporting for this article