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Family Of Missing Grad Student Offering $10,000 Reward

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Family and friends, all from the Washington D.C. area, are canvassing the streets of Pittsburgh, desperate to find Dakota James.

"Our friends, our family, our coworkers are in this city, walking up and down these streets they don't know, to help find my son," said Jeff James.

The 23-year-old seemed to vanish Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, after having drinks at the 941 Saloon on Liberty Avenue.  The family's private investigator Larry Forletta said Dakota was last seen in front of the Wood Street T Station, just before midnight, but they do not know whether he boarded it or tried walking to his North Side apartment.

"We're asking the general public to reach down into their hearts and take a good look at this and please help us try to find this brilliant young man," said Forletta.

dakota-james-poster
(Photo Credit: Julie Grant/KDKA)

The James family is offering a $10,000 cash reward for any information that leads to locating Dakota.

"We're walked every street in this town, we need that person who knows what we don't know to come forward to help us find my son," said Jeff James.

As they continue searching, the family has set up a tip line through Our Missing Home.  The number is (810) 294-4858.  Callers should reference Law Enforcement Case #17-17022.

The family is staying in Pittsburgh indefinitely, hoping and praying they will find Dakota.

"Every day more people get here, then leave. So this group is growing and we love them for it," said Jeff James.

Pittsburgh Police is handling the investigation.  The Public is also encouraged to call the Missing Persons Unit at (412) 323-7141.

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