Campus Police, Regional Law Enforcement Continue Search For Missing Princeton Student

PRINCETON, NJ - The search for the missing Princeton University undergraduate student is continuing for the second day, the University said.

Lauren Blackburn ’26, was last seen at about 6 p.m. Saturday, April 19, in the vicinity of Firestone Library wearing blue jeans with torn knees, a yellow t-shirt with a black, zippered hooded sweatshirt, and blue, flat-bottom shoes.

He is 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds. Blackburn has brown eyes and black hair, the Department of Public Safety said.

The University's Department of Public Safety (DPS) continues to lead the search with the assistance of regional law enforcement. There is an increased presence of law enforcement on campus as a result.

Emergency responders deployed to Lake Carnegie on Tuesday morning as part of what appears to be a search operation, according to media reports.

The search operation began around midnight Tuesday after authorities detected a missing person's phone signal in the vicinity, 6ABC reported. The report indicates that police are utilizing sonar equipment and drones provided by Hamilton Township, along with K-9 units, to assist in the search efforts.

Lake Carnegie stretches across several towns in Mercer and Middlesex counties and is used by Princeton University’s rowing team.

Blackburn, an Indiana native, is a former features writer for the student newspaper The Daily Princeonian.

Officials have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the student's disappearance.

Anyone with information about Lauren's whereabouts should contact the Department of Public Safety at (609) 258-1000.