A nationwide search is being called for Aisha Khan, a 19-year-old student at Johnson County Community College, who went missing at approximately 11:00 a.m. Friday morning while studying for her final exams on the University of Kansas, Edwards Campus, The Kansas City Star reports. She was last heard from frantic voicemails to her sister, detailing an altercation with a drunken man who was pestering her at a outdoor picnic table on campus.
“Oh my gosh he was so scary. My heart is, like, pounding. I’ve never got this scared in my life,” Khan says in the message. “Pick up your phones, I am freaked out right now.”
She said that while she was studying for finals at an outdoor picnic table, a man (visibily drunk) harassed her and attempted to kiss her before she hit him and he took off. Although Khan’s message is disturbing, some have noted that her voice is strangely calm as she speaks. This has led to questions about whether the disappearance could be a runaway situation.
“It’s still classified as a missing person and that hasn’t changed since day one,” Overland Park police spokeswoman Michelle Koos told ABC News. “But we have dedicated our resources as though it’s the worst-case scenario.”
Investigators are looking for clues in Khan’s personal life using her cell phone, iPod Touch, and social media accounts. Some have questioned whether her devoutly Muslim family may have arranged her marriage against her will. But those close to Khan refuse to believe these theories.
“She would not run away,” said Khan’s friend Emily Cheatham. “She was happy with her life, with her new marriage. There wouldn’t be any reason that she’d want to run away.”
After hearing the voicemail, Cheatham and her cousin rushed to the campus and the usual place Khan liked to study. The young woman’s cell phone and backpack were found at the picnic table where she was sitting, but she was nowhere to be found.
“She doesn’t do anything without her phone,” Khan’s cousin Sana Habib said. “Her leaving her stuff out like that is not her.”
Police have interviewed family, friends, students, faculty and construction workers that were working nearby. Police said construction workers and a faculty member believe they saw someone that matched Khan’s description walking away from the area alone, but police have not yet confirmed if it was the 19-year-old.
Meanwhile, her family remains hopeful.
“Aisha, if you are listening to this, we love you a lot and we are doing everything to get you back home safely,” Waseem Khan said.
“I’m just hoping that the bell rings and I’ll see her and the phone rings and she’ll be right in front of my eyes,” Khan’s mother Fouzia Khan said. “That’s what I’m dreaming about.”
A Facebook group dedicated to her search describes Khan as 5 feet 2 inches tall, 120 pounds with dark brown hair, brown eyes, and glasses. There is also a Twitter feed following the search for Khan. A $10,000 reward being offered as incentive for any information leading to Khan’s safe recovery.