Missing Princeton student Misrach Ewunetie’s phone traced to New Jersey housing complex

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The cellphone of a missing Princeton student pinged from a location about seven miles away from campus two days after she went missing before it was then suddenly switched off.

The location is one of few clues those searching for Misrach Ewunetie have to go on, five days since the 20-year-old disappeared.

The location appears to be a New Jersey housing complex near Penns Neck. Misrach was sharing her location with another family member, according to her brother Universe. 

The cellphone of Misrach Ewunetie, 20, pinged from a New Jersey housing estate two days after she was reported missing

The cellphone of Misrach Ewunetie, 20, pinged from a New Jersey housing estate two days after she was reported missing

'It's very unlike her to turn off her phone, kids these days don't turn off their phones, they love their phones,' brother Universe said.'It's nightmare that I cannot wake up from.'

‘It’s very unlike her to turn off her phone, kids these days don’t turn off their phones, they love their phones,’ brother Universe said.’It’s nightmare that I cannot wake up from.’

‘It’s very unlike her to turn off her phone, kids these days don’t turn off their phones, they love their phones,’ Universe told The Sun, describing the situation as ‘a nightmare that I cannot wake up from.’

The final ping appeared to register at 3:27am on Sunday morning before the phone finally shut down.

Campus police have visited the housing estate three times and have conducted a search with dogs, but have not been able to enter any properties due to a lack of search warrants, however they did speak with residents. 

Universe joined officers on the latest search. ‘It was not enough time because the back area was wooded and full of ground vines and shrubs,’ he said. 

Misrach was reported missing on Monday night after her friends and family said they have not heard from her in several days

Misrach was reported missing on Monday night after her friends and family said they have not heard from her in several days

‘She’s loved and cared for, and we’re missing her. We’re looking for her,’ Universe said.

‘She’s a very smart, empathetic person who cares for people. A reserved person. She’s dearly loved by her family and everybody that has known her and that has ever come to her. People that are from her middle school to high school, from people that even interviewed her,’ he said. ‘She was valedictorian. She’s a very smart girl.

‘I hope she comes home safe to us,’ he added.

Ewunetie is originally from northeast Ohio, and had received a full scholarship to the prestigious university in 2020

Misrach, who is a junior at the elite college, was last seen at 3am on Friday near Scully Hall where she lived on campus.

Earlier that night, Misrach had been volunteering at Terrace Club, one of the University’s 11 eating clubs.

That night, Ewunetie was a member on ‘duty’ — performing housekeeping tasks during a live music performance at the club.

After the club had closed and all of the duty responsibilities had been fulfilled, Misrach, together with  other members on duty left for the night.

Following the event ‘she went back to her dorm at 3am’ her brother said. ‘Her roommates said they saw her at 3am. Then another roommate of hers said she didn’t see her after 4am, and then after that that no one has seen her.

‘Her housemates didn’t look for her because they assumed she went home.’ 

‘With the pandemic, the first year they were not on campus, so that was difficult for her and for a lot of people,’ Universe explained.

‘But this year she’s been trying to get in this Terrace Club, and that was her way of making friends.’

Ongoing search efforts now involve ‘an increased law enforcement presence on and around campus including the use of a helicopter, drones and watercraft,’ the university explained on Wednesday.

Her family who have lived in Ohio since 2008, but who are originally from Ethiopia say her disappearance is all the more unsettling after she missed a meeting regarding a citizenship application the following day.

‘She is the gem of the house, [my parents’] only daughter and the youngest,’ Universe said. ‘She is very loved.’

School officials say she ‘has not been in touch with her family or friends in several days,’ and sent out a ‘Tiger Alert’ to the school community at around 9.20pm Monday night reporting her missing, the Daily Princetonian reports.

Ewunetie is described as 5-feet-4-inches tall and weighing 130 pounds. She has brown eyes, black hair and a ‘light complexion,’ school officials said.

She was last seen on Friday about 3am near Scully Hall (pictured), where she lives on campus

She was last seen on Friday about 3am near Scully Hall (pictured), where she lives on campus

Ewunetie is originally from northeast Ohio, and had received a full scholarship to the prestigious university in 2020, covering her tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses for four years.

She was interested in majoring in science, the Villa Angela-St Joseph High School reported at the time, and said Princeton was her first choice school.

Her disappearance comes as students are off campus for fall break following mid-term exams.

‘Obviously it’s heartbreaking,’ junior Laura Esguerra told PIX 11. ‘It hurts, it really does… hopefully she’ll be back safe.’

She added: ‘It’s a good reminder we have to watch out for each other and we have to make sure to check on her friends especially after midterms.

‘It’s a hard week, it’s a hard time for everyone mentally and physically,’ Esguerra explained.

She added: ‘I truly hope it doesn’t come down to that, but it is a good reminder to check in on your friends after a hard week.’

Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact the school’s Department of Public Safety at (609) 258-1000, or submit an anonymous tip online.



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