AU NEWS (NEWS RELEASE)

Parents of Auburn University student Michael Griffin Harrie, who went missing during a study abroad trip to Japan are asking for the public's help in locating him.

Harrie, a student in the College of Veterinary Medicine, was last seen in Thailand on July 14.

Harrie, a 29-year-old native of Southern California, was participating in a study abroad program at Iwate University in Morioka, Japan. He was reported missing on July 16 by his parents when he failed to return for a meeting with them in Tokyo.

Harrie disappeared while on a side trip separate from the study abroad program.

"Michael made the decision to take a personal sightseeing trip to Bangkok, Thailand, on July 7th and was scheduled to return to Tokyo on the 16th," said Paul Harrie, Michael's father. "He was planning to use his study abroad experience to help prepare him for his next year of veterinary school."

University officials and his parents hope that posting this information will help locate him.

Michael is 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs 175 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes and wears eyeglasses.

Two Auburn representatives traveled to Tokyo last week to meet with Harrie's family and provide assistance. Auburn University is currently working with law enforcement in Thailand and has been in contact with the consul general in Japan and the American Embassy in Thailand.

Anyone with information that may assist in finding Michael should call the Auburn University Department of Public Safety and Security at 334- 844-8888.