Ann Arbor doctor Shankar Palaniappan went to Toledo, Ohio over the weekend to meet with some old friends. He met up with them at around 9p.m. The club’s closed-circuit video shows him leaving alone around 1a.m. He hasn’t been seen since. ABC 13 of Toledo reports (thanks for the tip Kumar):
Right now police don’t have many clues. They say the disappearance of the 26-year-old looks suspicious. Family and friends say it’s totally out of character for Shankar Palaniappan to ignore phone calls and not show up for work. That’s why today they an issued an emotional plea for help.What started out as a night of fun at a Toledo hot spot has turned into a family’s desperate search for a young doctor. Shankar Palaniappan came to Toledo Saturday night to meet some old college friends. Police say the young doctor and his friends arrived at Gumbo’s/Sin Nightclub at the docks around 9 p.m. But at the end of the night, friends went in search of Palaniappan and they couldn’t find him. Police are calling the case suspicious.
Palaniappan’s family flew from Indiana to Toledo this morning desperate for any information about their son. Family members say Shankar Palaniappan is a medical intern at St. Joe’s Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor. They say he’s always in contact with them and they haven’t heard from him since Saturday night.
This story immediately reminded me of the very similar circumstances that surrounded the disappearance of Arvin Sharma in Washington D.C. back in April. He too went to a club with his friends and was nowhere to be seen at the end of the night, his body recovered days later. As far as I know, no suspect was ever arrested for his murder (if it was a murder). Let’s pray for a more positive ending in this case. Palaniappan’s parents made an emotional plea on television asking for help from anyone who may know where their son is.
Shankar Palaniappan… “My son is a very hard-working, sincere, dedicated young man,” said Ramanathan Palaniappan. With tears in his eyes, he went on, “I hope he’s okay, and if he’s out there, please give us a call.” It’s every parent’s worst fear, and Shankar’s mother and father are extremely concerned something has happened to their only son.
“We’ve been trying to reach him on his cell phone, and there’s no answer,” said Ramanathan. “He usually checks in with his family, he usually checks in with work, and at 1:04 in the morning, Saturday night, or Sunday morning, no one has heard from him since. We consider that very serious,” said Sgt. Tim Noble with Toledo Police. [Link]
Anyone that has information in this missing person case should call: 419-255-1111.
Update: Sad news. Palaniappan’s body has been found.
thanks for the post. I think its pretty obvious that when it comes to missing persons of color, we cannot rely on mainstream news, but need the ethnic media and bloggers to represent.
uh, kumar, isn’t abc mainstream news?
uh, I wouldn’t call “abc13 of Toledo” very mainstream.
Oh give me a break: I don’t want a Natalie Holloway style Fox news uber-long marathon for anybody, brown or white. What purpose do they serve? Does it really help to find the person? Doesn’t it make sense that the Toledo or Ohio station report it first? Why national on the first go? There are hundreds of disappearances a day.
And that said, how very sad for the family, and I pray, pray, pray that he is found safely.
“Does it really help find the person?”
In the case of Elizabeth Smart of Utah, it did. How selfish of you to insist that his disappearance shouldn’t be broadcasted, simply because you don’t want an “uber-long” marathon. Get over yourself.
i hope he gets found alive…
I definitely think it can’t hurt. Look at the situation with Oprah and the child molestors. She caught two within 2 days of the broadcast.
Plus, if you were in the family of this guy, wouldn’t you want his face plastered all over the tv so people around the country could help?
Seems unlikely he will be found alive
This one proves that it is not safe to go out there beyond hours especially to a bar. Most likely got drunk and lost his way and met an accident and remains at an unkown place.
Depends on the city– several million New Yorkers disagree.
Well, I don’t entirely agree. If anything, it proves, even if you’re male, don’t leave or go off and wander by yourself. Basically make sure you have a designated friend (driver) to watch out for you if you plan on getting inebriated. Not that Shankar was necessarily inebriated in this case. It could have been very bad luck. But still it helps to have a friend wait till you get in that taxi or drive you home or walk you to your car. Safety in numbers.
I hope he’s found alive….
Wow. That’s my hometown, and after having lived in big cities for so long, it always seemed so SAFE to me. I mean, I remember 10 years ago sneaking into clubs downtown with my friends. I was a fearless little brown girl, I suppose. I hope they find the good doctor safe and sound.
XYZ- which high school?
That’s where I grew up too. I heard about this case from my mom. Shankar’s parents are staying with my friend’s parents in Toledo. It’s such a frustrating, desparately heart-wrenching situation.
Sad news, everyone. Shanker’s body was found. Condolonces to family and friends.
This sad event has nothing to do with being brown or black or purple or plaid.
I went to school with the guy. He was a smart, cool, fun, and all-around nice kid. But, when he partied, he often partied to the point of falling down drunk. He wasn’t a very big guy, but he drank like a fish. I remember that he even passed out in a field one time and luckily friends found him and took him home. I seriously doubt this was foul play. I believe he probably accidentally fell in and drowned. I’m pretty confident that’s what the autopsy is going to show.
It’s very sad. He had such a bright future. He was going to begin his radiology residency next year. He was a smart, cool cat. His whole life was still ahead of him. He will be missed.
yes, I suspected the same thing. When a guy wanders out of the bar by himself it’s often to get some air because he is drunk. I’ll bet that this will be ruled an accidental death. It’s such a shame. Binge drinking is a HUGE problem that doesn’t seem to get enough attention, not only in the South Asian community, but in every community.
I wouldn’t assume accidental death. It could have been homicide, perhaps by someone who knew about his drinking problem. All it takes is a push.
I can’t believe that in the wake of someone’s death people are actually insensitive enough to post arguments back and forth about what constitutes proper media coverage, or post stories of Shank’s drunken mistakes that I’m sure neither he nor his parents would want the world to know. What if his family is reading this? If you knew Shank I encourage you instead to post fond memories of him.
I met Shank in college, and the fact is he was one of the nicest guys I knew. He was polite, soft-spoken, and willing to befriend anybody. He was smart and hard-working, and what has happened to him is a tragic incident that could happen to anyone. The footage of his father crying on the news was heart-wrenching, and I pray for his family. Shank was a great person, and someone his family can be proud of.
babs, i 100% agree with you! i have known shankar since the third grade, and it is hurtful for people who had never even met the guy to be referring to his alleged “drinking problem” here on this site. shankar was a gentle, harmless, and kind-hearted fellow. he worked hard in school and was a high-achiever. and he always had pure intentions with his actions and words. i hadn’t seen him in about five years, but i am sure his spirited nature remained the same. our entire community is praying for his family’s strength to find peace with the tragedy.
Babs and star,
I am so sorry that you saw comments like those above. Your friend and his family have been in my thoughts ever since I heard about their tragic story.
I wish everyone could remember that this could’ve happened to any of us– plenty of us go out, have some fun and yes, binge drink. Drinking heavily is hardly unique to this community or this victim.
I would hope that people who leave comments would put themselves in this man’s place; remember the last time you went to a club and got trashed. If this had happened to you, wouldn’t it be horrific for YOUR friends and family? Wouldn’t you want people to remember and discuss your LIFE vs one terrible night, especially for their sake?
Babs, Star: I am deeply sorry. You are right. I looked at the video of Mr Palaniappan at the news conference and the image of his hurt stood out. I never knew Shankar personally but I know he was deeply loved. Please convey my condolences to the family.
Varun
Thank you to those of you who have come forward with kind thoughts. I wish everyone had had the pleasure of knowing Shank.
I knew Shank in college as well. He was a nice guy and always upbeat. It’s such a shame that he died so young. I will always remember him for hanging out in our room and always having a funny joke or an odd story. I haven’t had the chance to see him after graduation, but I will miss his laughter. I also would like to offer my condolences to his family. peace, t
Shanky was a fun loving, quality individual and should be remembered as so. I was and still am so proud to hear of his success since Wash U. It’s such a tragic loss: my thoughts and prayers are with his family.
My funniest Shank memory is when he ate a spoonful of red masala to prove he could handle the spice. He had to go upstairs with half a gallon of milk for about 20 min. It was classic.
Shanky, we will miss you!!
well as a mother it is quite aterrible loss for his. unfortunate i will keep the family in my thoughts and prayers,ty and be blessed everyone,tiffany.
tiffany said
saw the video. related on a personal level… reminded me of my dad.. thought… i so wanted to make you proud… not cause you more pain … i am so sorry…
the untimely death is more than loss of a life, it’s the shearing of the bonds of that life with those around him/her..
Shankar’s death goes to show that no one is guarenteed a future, one’s abitions and abilites notwithstanding. Why does every desi death have to be ‘suspicious’? The guy likely got drunk, got too close to the edge of the pier and fell in. A simple death by misadventure. Sad, but it happens every day.
a la six feet under. sad.