A Princeton student disappeared after leaving a library. Days later, crews are searching near a lake where a phone pinged
A desperate search is underway for a Princeton University student who hasn't been seen since leaving a campus library.
The university's Department of Public Safety is seeking information on the whereabouts of 23-year-old Lauren Blackburn.
The junior — expected to graduate in 2026 — was reportedly last seen around 6pm on Saturday leaving the Firestone Library.
The university said Blackburn is 6'2, with brown hair, brown eyes, and that he weighs approximately 170 pounds.
He was last seen wearing blue jeans with torn knees, a yellow t-shirt with a black, zippered hoodie, and blue flat-bottomed shoes, according to investigators.
Around midnight on Tuesday, police began searching Lake Carnegie for any sign of Blackburn after a missing person's phone pinged in the area. It is not immediately clear if the phone belongs to the missing student.
Lake Carnegie is on the campus and is used by Princeton University's rowing team.
Along with the water search, Hamilton Township police used dogs, drones, and sonar to assist with the search, according to ABC6.
According to the University Herald, Blackburn is a 2019 National Merit Scholar and Gates Scholar, who earned a full ride scholarship to Princeton.
The college's student newspaper, The Daily Princetonian, who Blackburn used to write for, reported that an alert was sent to the school's community on Tuesday stating the undergraduate was missing. Later that day, Vice President for Student Life W. Rochelle Calhoun sent a follow up email saying told that support was available for concerned students.
'I will share an update when we know more, but in the meantime please hold Lauren in your thoughts as we attempt to locate him,' she wrote.
"I hope that he's found soon and I hope that he's totally fine. But it's freaky, especially during this period where things are up in the air and nobody has any information," senior student Ryan Hoffman told ABC6.
Officials at the school warned students they may see an increased police presence on campus while investigators continue to search for Blackburn.
The Independent has contacted Princeton University Department of Public Safety and Hamilton Township Policefor comment.
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