Update: Syracuse police believe Gonzalez fell into a creek, a family member said Saturday night.

Family members of missing Syracuse University student Allan Gonzalez described the circumstances surrounding their relative’s disappearance in interviews with The Daily Orange on Saturday.

Gonzalez, a senior in the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, was last seen Jan. 18 in the city of Syracuse. The Syracuse Police Department is leading a missing person’s investigation into Gonzalez’s disappearance.

Maria Delgado Gonzalez, Gonzalez’s mother, last received a text message from her son Jan. 16. She’s used to Gonzalez not responding to her texts right away. She figured he was out with friends during the holiday weekend when she was unable to get in touch with him, she said. 

“He would always delay answering his texts, and I understood because sometimes he would be in class,” Maria said. “I was used to him not responding to his texts.”

One of Gonzalez’s roommates told Maria on Tuesday that he had reported her son missing, she said.

SPD Sgt. Matthew Malinowski said in a press release Friday evening that Gonzalez may have taken an Uber to Al’s Whiskey & Wine Bar, located in downtown Syracuse’s Armory Square. Gonzalez’s debit card was recovered in the bar, Maria said. 

Gonzalez frequented Al’s Whiskey & Wine Bar and would go to the bar with his father, Maria said. Gonzalez’s Uber account is linked to Maria’s Paypal. An Uber was taken Jan. 18 around 11 p.m., but no return ride was taken, she said.

Karla Leon, one of Gonzalez’s cousins, said the family received a tip late Friday from a woman who said she saw Gonzalez in Benjamin’s on Franklin, another bar in the Armory Square area, around midnight Jan. 18. 

Detectives pulled footage from Benjamin’s and identified Gonzalez, Leon said. Both Leon and Maria think it’s possible Gonzalez went to Benjamin’s before going to Al’s Whiskey & Wine Bar. 

Gonzalez’s computer tower has also been obtained, and detectives seem proactive in their search, Leon said. 

“They will find whatever needs to be found, I’m sure,” she said.

Gonzalez is easygoing, quiet and has a good heart, Leon said. Maria described her son as dedicated, helpful and loving. 

In the past year, Gonzalez has experienced bouts of depression and anxiety attacks, Maria said. She took her son to treatment and therapy, but he was against taking medication, she said.

“I was always on call for him, whenever he would call me he would tell me that he’s working through this, and if he felt down he’d be able to call me at any time,” Maria said.

Gonzalez was traumatized after an encounter with police last year, his mother said.

New York State Police charged Gonzalez with second-degree burglary Sept. 1 after he allegedly crashed a car in Jefferson County, broke into a nearby home and invited a person over to have sex and drink alcohol, according to Syracuse.com.

Maria disputes the police and media’s account of the incident. She maintains he entered the house after crashing his car to get help and fell asleep due to a head injury.

The incident was very disturbing for Gonzalez, and she suggested her son see a therapist after, Maria said. 

“After the accident, all these things started disturbing him. He had fights with his girlfriend often and it was no big deal, but now the smallest little situation would get him really, really sad and really, really depressed.”

Leon last saw her cousin — who she said is more like a little brother — around Jan. 5. Gonzalez spent time with his family, and didn’t show any signs of being sad or stressed, Leon said.

The family is now canvassing Syracuse, hoping to find Gonzalez. They searched until 4 a.m. Saturday and had begun again by 12:30 p.m. They’re following every lead, Leon said. 

Maria said she’s lost a part of herself, her first child. She’s not leaving Syracuse until she finds him.

“I’m hoping and I’m praying that he’s found alive. It’s already been a long time,” Maria said. “It’s so cold out, so freezing out, and if he’s not warm and cozy in a hospital I don’t know what else to think. I just want him to be found.”

Published on January 25, 2020 at 5:37 pm

Contact Emma: esfolts@syr.edu