LA County sheriffs search for missing USC student

An investigation is underway into the disappearance of a student who left the university after last semester, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detective Tamar Abraham said.

Elgin Stafford, 23, who was last seen on March 20 leaving his home in Carson, was pursuing a graduate degree in public diplomacy. Stafford received his Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley.

Vice President for Student Affairs Michael L. Jackson said he became aware of Elgin’s disappearance on Monday.

Searching · Elgin Stafford has been missing since March 20. - Ani Kolangian | Daily Trojan

Jackson said the school is working to gather more information about Stafford’s disappearance.

“We are trying to figure out what happened,” Jackson said. “Right now, we are all concerned. We hope that he turns up safe.”

Stafford, a 5-foot-10 black male who weighs 145 pounds, was last seen in a dark jacket, a black shirt and multi-colored pants.

The Dept. of Public Safety is not involved in the investigation, said David Carlisle, DPS captain for training and media relations.

“We will certainly assist the Sheriff’s Department in any way that we can,” Carlisle said.

Though Abraham said she could not provide details about the investigation, she said that the sheriff’s department is eliciting public assistance.

“It’s an ongoing investigation,” Abraham said. “He hasn’t been located. We will take any help we can get.”

Anyone with information about Stafford is asked to call the sheriff’s department at (323) 890-5500.