Missing student found overseas

IU junior Lisa Wright, reported missing by her family last week, has been found, according to a spokeswoman for London's Metropolitan Police Department.\nMatthew Steward, Wright's uncle, said the family received a call from London Police Monday.\n"London authorities notified us this morning and indicated they had located Lisa and that she appeared to be in relatively good health," Steward said.\nWright had completed a study abroad program in London April 15 and had not responded to any of her family's e-mails in more than a week. The family became concerned when they hadn't heard from Wright because of their close relationship with her.\nWright's last known contact was in London Tuesday with a cousin who was living two hours from where she had been staying. Wright left her cell phone with her cousin about a month ago and was supposed to pick it up after her program ended, Steward said. But Wright changed her plans and decided to stay in London. She gave her cousin an address where her cell phone could be sent. Wright said she would either be staying there or would be in contact there. But she never made it there.\nWhen days began to pass without word from Wright, her family filed a missing persons report and investigations began abroad.\nSteward said the family has not been briefed regarding where Wright was, what happened to the money in her bank account or what circumstances surround her disappearance. \n"Officials indicated that there were other circumstances surrounding the disappearance," Steward said regarding the lack of information disclosed. "So I'm not certain what that means."\nPolice in London are not disclosing information about the investigation.\n"We can't say anything besides that she's been found safe in London and well," an MPD spokeswoman said.\nSteward said finding out specific details has been difficult because of the detachment from overseas law enforcement.\n"We're kind of getting our information second hand," he said. "The police department is talking to (the U.S.) Embassy, who is talking to us."\nThe U.S. Embassy in London did not return calls about the status of the investigation at press time.\nWright's family left for London Monday hoping to speak directly with investigators.\n"We're just hoping that once the family is on the ground, we can find out more," Steward said. "Our greatest concern has been realized -- that Lisa is alive and safe. Now we will try to ascertain how this whole thing came about." \nSteward said the family hopes the trip abroad will help answer lingering questions about Wright's financial situation. Wright, a business major, had not paid her tuition bill, and both her savings and checking accounts showed withdrawals totaling more than $10,000 in a matter of days. \n"She's very particular for details, and she has never let a bill of any kind, especially one of that importance, go astray, so that raised a red flag," Steward said.\nWhen Wright's family took a closer look at her bank accounts, they noticed they were also overdrawn by a couple of thousand dollars. Wright's family said they hope everything will be squared away after they speak to police in London.\n"We hope to have information about the money (today), as soon as relatives are on the ground," Steward said. "Our No. 1 concern and prayer was that Lisa would be found and she would be found alive, and that has happened. First and foremost, we want to reunite with Lisa and find out what the circumstances were around her disappearance."\nAs of press time, IU officials had not yet received official notice about developments in the case.\n"We're certainly aware of the media reports, and it sounds to me like the media reports are accurate," Director of IU Media Relations Larry MacIntyre said. "I think everyone here is very relieved, and we're certainly pleased that it appears there were no serious problems, that she's safe and healthy, and it looks like it's some kind of a misunderstanding."\nSteward said he appreciates the outpouring of help and prayers from IU and the community. He added that although he was originally apprehensive about police efforts abroad, he is now very happy with the result.\n"I must say up front that it appears my concerns were unfounded about the London Police," he said. "They did a good job ... Some of the things and methods used (by London Police) just weren't communicated to us, and sometimes in an investigation that happens, but it yielded the results that were necessary."\nDespite the lack of information the family has received, Steward said they are at peace with knowing Wright is alive.\n"At this point, we are certainly pleased that Lisa's whereabouts have been located," he said. "Our prayers have certainly been answered."\n-- Contact Campus Editor Mallory Simon at mgsimon@indiana.edu.