Professor Tom Marsh, an astronomy professor at the University of Warwick, has been reported missing whilst on a research trip to Chile.
Marsh was visiting La Silla Observatory, near the Atacama Desert, and was last heard from on September 16.
He is described as white, around 6ft 3ins, with balding grey hair and a beard. He was likely to have been wearing a blue rain jacket, walking boots, and a grey woollen hat, the BBC reports.
Marsh’s daughter, Tabitha, shared a missing persons poster on Facebook. She wrote: ‘This is my dad, Tom Marsh. He’s been missing in Chile since 16th of September – almost a week now. Please share this, we’re desperate to find him.’
She went on to say: ‘My dad is a Professor of astronomy & astrophysics at the University of Warwick. He was out on an observing run at the La Silla Observatory in Chile when he went missing. The closest town is La Serena.’
Tabitha told people to contact the police if they have any information. If you’re in the UK, dial 101 and quote the reference: INC 153 18/9/22 Warwickshire Police. If you’re outside the UK, call +44 1926 415000.
Warwickshire Police said it was liaising with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Interpol, and Chilean authorities.
Who is looking for Warwick University Professor?
Local police chief Carlos Albornoz said that search work is being done on the ground and interviews and statements are being taken, The Independent reported.
Other organisations are also involved in the operation to try to establish as quickly as possible where this person is, Albornoz said. Nothing is being out, and all lines of inquiry remain open, the police chief said.
A spokesperson for the University of Warwick said: ‘Professor Tom Marsh, the founding professor of the astronomy and astrophysics group at University of Warwick, was reported as missing from La Silla Observatory in Chile, where he has recently been working as a visiting astronomer at the ESO (European Southern Observatory).’
The University are reportedly in regular contact with Marsh’s family and have offered them their full support along with his colleagues, students, and friends at the University.