Few answers in missing case

The ongoing search for Wharton junior David Dantzler-Wolfe has shaken the University community, leading many students to assume an attitude of cautious vigilance and question their own sense of security. College sophomore Elizabeth Davis said that the situation has made her think about what could happen to her and made her look around more carefully when walking around campus. Law student Teisha Covino echoed Davis. She said that upon first hearing about Dantzler-Wolfe's disappearance, she automatically assumed people were overreacting and thought that he may have simply left for a few days without notifying anyone. But now that the case has continued for over a month, the dozens of missing person posters that are scattered all over campus have become a cause of alarm for some. "It's really creepy that it's a boy," Covino said. "You're used to hearing about this stuff happening to women." But some students say that the case cannot simply be reduced to a lack of campus security and that they have not experienced much added fear since Dantzler-Wolfe's disappearance. "This has nothing to do with University safety," said College senior Tommy Lee, a friend of Dantzler-Wolfe's who performs with the a cappella group Chord on Blues with him. "There are way too many other issues involved." Reflective of this opinion, College sophomore Ariel Neaderthal said she has not faced any heightened sense of fear on campus. But even if some students still feel safe on campus, many -- especially Dantzler-Wolfe's close friends -- are still in shock about his disappearance. Mark Javitch, a Wharton senior who performed with Dantzler-Wolfe in Chords, said that he was taken aback by the situation and the search process. According to Lee, there were no discernible signs or behaviors that could have clued his friends into the Wharton junior's disappearance. Javitch said that he wished more of Dantzler-Wolfe's friends -- including those in the tightly-knit music group -- had been contacted immediately when the University Police began its investigation. "They definitely should have contacted all of David's friends," Javitch said. But he added that he understands why officials may have been hesitant. "They don't want to stir up rumors," he said. "I've already heard so many things being spread about the disappearance." Lee added that the University community's goal at this point should be to find some way to let Dantzler-Wolfe know that there are people within the University community that care about him and that "his place is here." Until new developments occur in the case, Dantzler-Wolfe's friends say they will simply continue to hope for the best. "I don't want people to think he's dead," Lee said. "He's such a resourceful person.... Everyone has their own personal demons."