May 15, 2012 — A Morehead State University student missing since Wednesday night turned up safe and sound Sunday morning in Albuquerque, N.M.
MSU Police Chief Matt Sparks received the welcome news from the father of Daniel Hiser, 20, of Milledgeville, Ohio.
“Daniel called his family Sunday morning and said he was in New Mexico but had changed his mind about hitchhiking to California,” Sparks said. “He said he wanted to come home.”
According to the Fayette County, Ohio, sheriff’s office, MSU police also were contacted the same day by a couple who reportedly picked up Hiser in Southern Indiana and transported him to Little Rock, Ark., last Thursday. The couple saw media coverage and contacted MSU police.
Sheriff Vernon Stanforth said no further action would be taken by his office.
“We are looking at the fact that he’s safe,” Stanforth said. “The accountability of the incident is up to Morehead State Police.”
Hiser had been the subject of a police search since the license plate and bumper of his vehicle were found at the scene of a damaged garage near Morehead.
He had not been heard from since late Wednesday night when he sent a text message to a friend.
