Penn State freshman Joseph Dado is currently missing has been found dead. Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends. Details to follow soon.

He was last seen at a FIJI party on Sunday, September 19th at 3:00 AM. He is supposed to have begun walking back to East Halls, but no one has seen or heard from him since he left Fiji (Phi Gamma Delta). At the time, he was wearing jeans, a yellow shirt, and a blue hooded sweatshirt.

If you have any information about Joseph, please contact Natalie Dado at 724-858-9809 or Penn State Police at 814-863-1111. Anonymous tips can be directed to Centre County Crime Stoppers at 877-992-7463.

Update 10:00 pm: A small candlelight vigil is being held on Pollock Road immediately outside the cordoned off area. Auxiliary Police are still stationed around the perimeter of the police tape while high-intensity flood lights are seen on the other side of the wall where the investigation is being carried out.

Update 7:51 pm: Joseph Dado appears to have fallen 15 feet and sustained severe trauma to his head. Repairmen found his body when responding to a service call. [source] The Collegian also has a story up.

Update 7:05 pm: Dado found dead in stairwell by Steidle and Deike. Foul play not suspected, however alcohol was involved.

Update 7:01 pm: There is no ambulance at the scene. Police bringing in generators and lighting equipment now.

Update 6:50 pm: The area between Steidle and Deike is quartered off by police. It looks to be an area containing dumpsters and other maintenance apparatus. In total it looks like 5 police cars with more en route. Gavin Keirans and IFC president Luke Pierce are on the scene.

Update 6:10 pm: Penn State posted a note on Facebook saying that,

Police have found no record of activity on Dado’s student ID card, bank debit card and cell phone since before he was last seen.

Update 5:01pm: Police are searching under manholes, and other places in West Campus. More info in this Collegian article. Additional picture from the Collegian…

Update 4:36pm: There is currently a Facebook group called “Help Find Joe Dado“. It can, and should be used to coordinate search parties, etc.

Update 4:07 pm: The Collegian just posted an article stating that the Dado family is offering a $10,000 reward, ostensibly for information leading to his recovery. They also added:

Penn State Police and State College police officers interviewed about 13 fraternity members in Fiji’s parking lot. Two officers inspected the trunks of the vehicles parked in Fiji’s parking lot. Officers had two search dogs.

Update 3:01 pm: Lisa Powers, the Director of Public Information at Penn State commented…

…that was a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter, which came in at the request of University Police to aid in the search for Joe Dado. Police have interviewed scores of people who know Joe or may have seen him Saturday night and Sunday morning. They also have visited each of Joe’s scheduled classes today to talk with faculty and classmates, urging them to contact police with any information about him.

State College Police Department detectives also have joined the investigation, and the University’s Auxiliary Services unit has been enlisted to comb campus buildings.

Joe was wearing jeans, a yellow T-shirt and blue zipper sweatshirt with a hood when he was last seen leaving Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at 319 N. Burrowes Rd. to return to his residence hall room. He is a white male with brown eyes and brown hair. He is approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and 160 pounds. Police said he has not returned phone calls or e-mails since he was last seen.

Update 2:33 pm: A better picture of the helicopter circling campus, now confirmed to belong to the Pennsylvania State Police. Thank you to George Chriss for contributing the picture.

Update 1:20 pm: The UPUA and IFC will be going door to door through State College this evening to provide information on the missing person. If you are available, meet outside the UPUA office at 7:45 pm. According to Luke Pierce, the meeting will actually take place at 8 PM in the HUB Auditorium. At this time, volunteers will have a brief orientation about the material being delivered door-to-door. Afterwards, routes will be provided and then, groups will break up and start handing out the information.

Update 1:00 pm: A helicopter, thought to be State Police, is flying low and slow over campus. Picture. Many have commented on the appropriateness of using a helicopter on such a large campus with so many people. The helicopter is incredibly useful for surveying rooftops, fields, light forests and yards. Let’s hope the search proves fruitful.