Ken DeLand missing: Missing American student in France found alive in Spain, official says

DeLand, a 21-year-old St. John Fisher University student, was studying abroad in France when he was last heard from

By Stephanie Pagones , Ashley Papa

Kenneth DeLand, the upstate New York college student who has been missing in France since last month, was found to be alive in Spain nearly three weeks after he disappeared, an official confirmed Friday morning.

DeLand, a 21-year-old St. John Fisher University student, was studying abroad at the University Grenoble Alpes in Grenoble when he was last heard from on Nov. 28, his family has said. He was reported missing the next day after he did not attend class, and his host family and friends had not heard from him.

Grenoble public prosecutor Eric Vaillant confirmed in a translated tweet that DeLand had spoken with his parents on Friday morning and was in Spain.

Ken DeLand walking into a Decathlon sports store in Montelimar on Dec. 3, 2022. 

Ken DeLand walking into a Decathlon sports store in Montelimar on Dec. 3, 2022.  (findkendeland.com)




Ken DeLand smiling in an undated photo on his Instagram story

Ken DeLand smiling in an undated photo on his Instagram story (Instagram/Ken DeLand)

A spokesperson for Vaillant’s office added in a statement provided to Fox News Digital that “Ken Deland had been able to get in touch with his parent today and is supposed to be currently in Spain.” DeLand’s family did not respond to multiple requests for confirmation on Friday, and additional details have not been provided.




Video show's Ken DeLand's university town in France

The 6-foot, 190-pound college student, who is originally from Sodus, New York, was then spotted on surveillance footage at a sports store in Montelimar around 2:45 p.m. local time on Dec. 3, when he made a purchase of $8.40. St. John Fisher University is located in Rochester, New York.




Ken DeLand was last seen in Montelimar, France

General view of Grenoble city limits in in Grenoble, France on Dec. 13, 2022.  (Julien Reynaud/Abaca Press for Fox News Digital)

An Interpol Yellow Notice was issued shortly after DeLand was reported missing in France.




Ken DeLand abroad.

Ken DeLand abroad. (findkendeland.com)

Ken DeLand smiles in photo abroad.

Ken DeLand smiles in photo abroad. (findkendeland.com)

DeLand was expected to complete his study abroad program on Dec. 17, 2022.




This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates. 

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Ken DeLand missing: American college student disappears in France while studying abroad

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