PANAMA CITY BEACH - The family of a missing spring breaker has issued a statement asking for help in finding the 21-year-old college student.
"The family of Rice University student, Reny Jose, would like to thank family, friends, the Bay County Sheriff's department, and the public for their continual support during this very difficult time. Upon reaching Panama City, the family has begun searching for Reny and must express deep concern that every effort is not being made to help find him," it states. "We are hopeful that with more aid and resources, the search can be expanded and will be successful. Reny is a wonderful, loving person who is doted on by his entire family. Despite the recent allegations regarding a drug incident, Reny's 4.0 GPA in his engineering program suggests otherwise. We desperately just want him home and urgently plead with all of Panama City for their help."
Jose was wearing black athletic pants and a green sweater when last seen Monday, but his clothes, wallet and phone were discovered in a trash bin near the house.
Jose’s companions called authorities Tuesday around 11:30 a.m. to report him missing.
According to a police report, a man who had been staying with Jose said the Rice University student had taken LSD, an illegal drug known to cause users to hallucinate and behave unpredictably, and spoken of committing suicide on Monday, and he’d also taken LSD the day before that.
Jose’s family created a Facebook page, FIND RENY JOSE, to share information. Deputies are asking anyone who might have information to call 850-747-5079 or CrimeStoppers at 850-785-TIPS (8477).