VCU news

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley and Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University Police announced Wednesday that personal belongings discovered along the James River in Richmond have been identified as those of Jonathan Dorey, an exchange student from Great Britain missing since March 2.

VCU Police Chief John Venuti said police were continuing to search for Dorey and his bicycle. The property was discovered by a citizen, who contacted police who then went to the location near a development called Rocketts Landing in Downtown Richmond.

Also on Wednesday, VCU Police released two new photos and a videotaped statement from Dorey’s parents in which they seek the public’s help in locating their son and deliver a message directly to him.

In the recorded message, Alan and Debbie Dorey also thank the media for their help in spreading information about their son, and for respecting their privacy. No media interviews by the family or police are planned at this time.

VCU and the University of the West of England, the student’s home university, are offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to Dorey’s location.

He was reported missing on March 4. Police do not suspect foul play in his disappearance.
 
On March 16, VCU Police released photos captured by a security camera on March 2 outside of Gladding Residence Center. Also on March 16, police released a new missing poster assembled by Dorey’s family that included new images.

Police would like to talk to anyone who has seen Dorey, who is 22-years-old, is 6 feet tall, weighs 180 pounds, has brown hair and speaks with a British accent. He wears glasses and was last seen wearing a blue and white plaid jacket with a hood and dark blue jeans.

Dorey is an accomplished mountain bicyclist, and was riding a black mountain bike.  
The bicycle’s seat is black with a red stripe in the middle, police said.

Anyone with information about Dorey should contact VCU Police Communications at (804) 828-1196.