by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman
February 4, 2024
After determining the police’s investigation was lackluster, the family started a GoFundMe to raise funds for a private investigator to find their loved one.
The body of Darius Appiah, a 22-year-old from Virginia who was reported missing back in January, was found by Hazel Run creek in Fredericksburg on Feb. 3. The search for Appiah gained national traction as his family rallied for public support amid searched for him.
According to WUSA9, Appiah’s body was positively identified by the Fredericksburg police department upon its discovery in the creek within Alum Springs Park. The family and volunteers were conducting an additional search in the area when a body was identified an hour into the process. Police immediately arrived to the body’s location, recovering what was later revealed to be Appiah from the scene.
Appiah was first reported missing on Jan. 25, after he went to get food on his way home from work a day prior. His family called for public attention toward the matter after determining the police’s investigation was lackluster in finding him, starting a GoFundMe to raise funds for a private investigator to find their loved one. The GoFundMe raised nearly half of its $50,000 goal.
Fredericksburg’s Police Information Officer, Sarah Morris remains adamant that no stone “went unturned” in the effort find and bring the at-risk 22-year-old back home, she shared with the publication.
“Last Friday Mr. Appiah’s vehicle was found in Alum Springs Park, the park closed and at that point Fredericksburg law enforcement and the fire department started to search the entire park,” stated Morris on their first search. “Over a two-day period 400 acres were searched up and down, there was not a stone that went unturned. Fortunately and unfortunately nothing was recovered so at that point the investigation concluded in terms of a large search.”
The family told the news outlet that they unable to release a formal statement at the time and that their hearts are broken at the loss.
The cause of death has yet to be determined, with an autopsy scheduled to provide more insight into what may have occurred. While authorities did not note any obvious signs of foul play, the family awaits answers into Appiah’s untimely death.
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