At a press conference Monday, Willie B. Fuller, chief of University Police, and Reuban B. Rodriguez, associate vice provost and dean of student affairs, addressed local media about the disappearance of student Taylor Behl.
Fuller said University Police are working tirelessly trying to determine Behl’s whereabouts and are accessing all available resources.
“We take this seriously. She’s one of our students (and) we want her back at school,” he said.
In addition to working with the Richmond City Police Department, Fuller said an FBI agent is serving as a consultant to the case.
“The reason I asked the FBI here was our commitment that the family have every available resource,” he said.
Fuller and VCU President Eugene P. Trani met with Behl’s family, which has been cooperative with police efforts.
Eddie O’Leary, president of the VCU Student Government Association, said the SGA has offered printing services to the family to aid in making fliers.
“If we’re needed, we’d like to help,” he said.
Behl’s family and friends, as well as SGA members, have handed out fliers since her disappearance. Behl, who lives in Gladding Residence Center, was reported missing Sept. 7, but has not been seen since Sept. 5.
The last person to see her was her roommate.
On the night of her disappearance, Behl returned from dinner and informed her roommate she was going out. She left at about 10:20 p.m. with her credit card, keys and cell phone.
Both Behl’s cell phone and credit card have remained inactive. With no activity and no leads panning out, some students feel uneasy.
“Its scary for someone in your dorm to disappear. It’s a reality check,” said freshman Sidney Jolley, who lives in GRC.
Cara Diggins, another freshman GRC resident, said, “It sets in every day more and more that it’s a dangerous place – it’s close to home.”
With the student body becoming increasingly unsettled, the university administrators said students are always their top priority.
“We’re constantly making sure that our students and their families know that in any instance, their student’s safety is our utmost concern,” Rodriguez said.
As the investigation continues, VCU officials urge students to use caution. O’Leary echoes that sentiment in light of Behl’s disappearance.
“I really hope she comes home safely,” he added.
University Police ask anyone with information to contact them at (804) 828-1196.
– Craig Carper contributed to this story.