PITTSBURGH — The body of Dakota James, a 23-year-old Duquesne University graduate student who went missing in late January, was found Monday in the Ohio River in Robinson Township.
The following is a timeline of his disappearance and the investigation that followed:
Wednesday, Jan. 25
Dakota James last seen by co-worker at Wood Street T Station in downtown Pittsburgh. Surveillance video last shows him at 11:49 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28
Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Missing Persons Unit issues alert asking for public’s assistance locating James
Thursday, Feb. 2
[ James family offers $10,000 reward ]
Saturday, Feb. 4
“Let's Help Find Dakota Leo James” foot-search organized in Pittsburgh
Tuesday, Feb. 7
Pittsburgh police release surveillance image showing James walking through Katz Plaza in downtown Pittsburgh at approximately 11:46 p.m. Jan. 25, the night he disappeared
Wednesday, Feb. 8
Channel 11 News confirms that investigators obtained a search warrant and reviewed at least one of James’ social media apps
Saturday, Feb. 11
Another search party organized to search for James in Pittsburgh
Saturday, Feb. 18
The nonprofit organization “Bring Our Missing Home” holds search effort spanning from Riverside Park in Glenfield to Leetsdale
Sunday, Feb. 19
Prayer vigil held for James in his hometown in Maryland
Monday, Feb. 20
Candlelight vigil for James held at Katz Plaza in downtown Pittsburgh
Thursday, Feb. 23
[ Police investigate post claiming James was kidnapped, determine it’s a hoax ]
Tuesday, Feb. 28
Pittsburgh police give update on the investigation into James’ disappearance, say there has been no activity with his cellphone or his bank account
Wednesday, March 1
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto says the city is doing everything it can to find James, but points out that there has been no evidence of foul play in his disappearance
Saturday, March 4
“Bring our Missing Home” holds search in North Park in Allegheny County. Crews use boats and drones to search a 27-mile stretch of the Ohio River in Beaver County.
Sunday, March 5
Search efforts continue in Allegheny Arsenal and Riverview parks in Allegheny County
Monday, March 6
[ James’ body recovered from Ohio River in Robinson Township ]