RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - Police have announced new information in the search for missing Virginia Commonwealth University student Ian Burnet.
New York Police used credit card information and Burnet's MetroCard, and found that he entered the 145th St. station the day he disappeared, according to the CBS6 New York affiliate, WPIX-11.
Ian boarded a northbound No. 1 train on December 30th, police said. The station is located at 145th and Broadway.
This latest discovery contradicts earlier reports that Ian had left behind all his possessions—wallet, phone, laptop—at the apartment he was visiting.
Another contradiction is the latest report that Ian has tried before to commit suicide.
Police said that Burnet had attempted suicide at least three times in the past, according to the CBS6 New York affiliate, WPIX-11. The station also reported that the family strongly refutes this history of attempted suicide.
His second cousin Althea Bernheim has traveled from her nearby Jersey City home into Manhattan to aid in the search.
"The investigators are following up on every single tip. I think we are going to find him. I think there is going to be a happy ending," she said.
Ian never ran away or had drug problems, according to his family and close friends.
"Ian is a responsible boy, he's an Eagle Scout, the valedictorian from New Kent, he would keep up with his parents, and this is totally out of character,” said Judy Cogburn, a close family friend.
However, his college roommate said Ian called from New York and said he wasn't having a good time, according to the CBS6 New York affiliate, WPIX-11.
Ian was supposed to be hanging with a couple of his friends, a few miles from where the ball dropped in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
On Wednesday, police also revisited the West Harlem apartment building on West 139th Street and Riverside Drive, where Burnet was staying with friends.
Police looked at the roof, basement and elevator, according to the CBS6 New York affiliate, WPIX-11.
Gomez, the building superintendent, told WPIX-11 that the visit was unannounced and was also the first major sweep of the building by police. Police did not find anything new today on the premises.
Burnet's parents have also set up a website -- www.findianburnet.com -- for anyone who has information or would like to join the search for Ian Burnet. There's also a Twitter account, @FindIanBurnet and a Facebook group called FIND IAN BURNET(click the link).
If you have information about Ian Burnet, the contact information for the New York Police Department is either Detective Sanchez or Det. Davis, or Sgt Greene at the 30th Precinct, 451 W 151st St.
The phone number is 212-690-8842.
We’ll bring you more information as it becomes available, on WTVR.com and CBS6 News.
