Private Investigator Hired To Find Missing West Chester Professor

WEST CHESTER, PA — A public campaign has raised nearly $25,000 to hire a private investigator to help find missing West Chester University professor Tom Short.

The statistics professor has not been seen since Nov. 18. He had traveled to Ohio to have Thanksgiving with his family, but did not show up to dinner at their Beachwood home on Nov. 22.

To help with the search, Short's family has hired a private investigator. To help defray the cost, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched, raising nearly $25,000 in less than five days.

Short has not reached out to his family since going missing. According to his family, Short's vehicle was found parked at the hotel where he was staying in Orange Village, Ohio. Inside his vehicle were his suitcase and phone. But he never picked up a key at his room.

>>10 Days Later, Search Continues For Missing West Chester U. Prof

Surveillance video at a nearby store revealed that Short arrived in the town Beachwood on Nov. 18, his family said. Security footage showed him at a local store, and his credit card record has his making a purchase at another location nearby on the same day. After that, "all trace of him was lost," his sister writes.

The family said that the private investigator has been "thoroughly vetted" and was recommended by Cleveland-area law enforcement.

The GoFundMe page also included notes about Short from his family, friends, and colleagues, expressing their best wishes and hoping that he's found:

"[I'm] just another of Tom’s many professional colleagues who value him, his kindness, sensitivity and intelligence."
"I always look forward to seeing [Tom] and spending time in conversation with him."
"I've appreciated interacting with Tom each summer."
"I am a professor at West Chester University. Please let me know how we can help! All of us are anxious about Tom and are hoping for a successful conclusion to this story - that Tom is found and he is OK."

Short stands 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs about 170 pounds. He has short brown and gray hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with any information should contact the Orange Village Police Department at (440)-247-7321.

Image via GoFundMe