The family of a 24-year-old man who has been missing for nearly two years is renewing their call for the public's help to find him.
Nihar Mehta is a Chicago native and a student at Ohio State, but his father, Dr. Sandeep Mehta, told KNX News' Margaret Carrero that he spent a great deal of time in Southern California to start a business.
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"We have been coming here for the last couple of years, trying to find him, trying to do everything we can to spread the word about his disappearance," Dr. Mehta said.
Nihar was last seen in Orange County on CCTV on June 3, 2023.
Dr. Mehta said it is not like his son to disconnect from family, saying, "This kid is very closely connected with all of us. He would talk to us every day, especially my wife."
During a press conference on Thursday, police announced a person of interest in the case, identified as 43-year-old Manuel "Manny" Chavez Zamudio, who worked with Nihar on some of his projects.
According to Dr. Mehta, his son was helping Zamudio, who he believed may have been homeless, by providing work, food, and other assistance.
Dr. Mehta said Zamudio was the last person seen with his son.
According to police, Zamudio is approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs about 250 pounds, with a Metallica tattoo on his left inner forearm.
Dr. Sandeep Mehta
The family is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to their son's return.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Orange Police Department at 714-744-7571. Additional information can be found at https://missinginorangecounty.com.
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