Indian-Origin Elderly Family Goes Missing in the US While Travelling from New York to Pennsylvania

Authorities across three U.S. states are conducting a coordinated search for four Indian-origin senior citizens who have mysteriously gone missing during a road trip from Buffalo, New York to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

The individuals, identified as Asha Divan, Kishore Divan, Shailesh Divan, and Gita Divan, were last seen on July 31, 2025, according to law enforcement officials.

Image Source: Sheriff Office

The family, all residents of New York state, were captured on surveillance footage at a Burger King restaurant on Peach Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. 

Two members — one male and one female — were seen entering the establishment and using a credit card, which police confirmed as their last recorded transaction. 

The Erie County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the footage timestamp and cross-referenced the payment data to verify the family’s presence at the location.

The group was travelling in a 2009 light-green Toyota Camry with New York license plate EKW2611. 

Their intended journey included a visit to a temple in Pittsburgh, followed by a planned stay at Prabhupada’s Palace Lodge in Moundsville, West Virginia — a spiritual retreat frequently visited by ISKCON followers.

Director of Asian American and Pacific Islander Affairs at New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s Office, Sibu Nair, flagged the development via Facebook, requesting public assistance. 

Marshall County Sheriff Mike Dougherty noted, “We have a few leads, which we and surrounding law enforcement agencies are investigating, but have not yet located the missing persons.”

Local law enforcement in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and New York have all been alerted, and the FBI has reportedly been briefed, given the cross-state implications. Volunteers from Indian-American advocacy groups have also mobilized community watch teams and are in close coordination with law enforcement.

Authorities have urged citizens, especially in the tri-state area, to report any sightings of the vehicle or individuals matching the description. As the case unfolds, anxiety and urgency continue to mount within both the local community and diaspora circles.