Rochester University professor, Heikki Rantakari, has been reported dead as police say he ‘may be in danger’ after not showing up to class.
Police have launched a search for missing University of Rochester professor Heikki Rantakari.
The Finnish economics professor was last seen at his Airbnb on Friday night.
Concern began to grow after he failed to attend a lecture scheduled for the following morning. Here’s everything we know about the academia and where he is now.
Who is Heikki Rantakari and what happened to him?
Heikki Rantakari (born between 1978 and 1979) is a University of Rochester professor.
He is an associate professor of economics and management at UR’s Simon Business School, according to the university website.
He lives in the Boston-area, but commutes to Rochester regularly. He has worked at UR since 2015, according to university officials.
In Boston, he is also a visiting associate professor (in applied economics) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he also attended university, according to MIT’s website.
Rantakari specializes in organizational economics, or the study of non-economic transactions within entities. He is particularly well known for his work on delegation, or questions about who has authority in organizations and how they communicate, said Florian Ederer, a classmate from graduate school who is an economist at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business.
Police have launched a search for missing Rantakari who failed to attend a scheduled class.
Heikki Rantakari stands at 5 feet, 11 inches, has blonde hair, and blue eyes.
He is a Finnish citizen, Ederer said, and speaks with a Finnish accent.
Heikki Rantakari, 44, arrived at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport on Friday and was last seen at his Airbnb that same night.
The economics professor was scheduled to teach a class the following morning but failed to attend with authorities believing he may be in danger.
What has the police said about Heikki Rantakari, the missing university professor?
Rochester police Capt. Gregory Bello has claimed that the professor could be “in danger”.
He said: “Beyond the obvious circumstances that just poof, this guy has disappeared, there’s been some other information that indicates this guy may be in danger as well.”
Speaking to Fox News Digital Bello added: “The odd part is this guy disappeared – my understanding that I have on it is that’s very out of character.”
“He’s got a family back in Boston, and obviously they’re concerned about him as well, and that’s what were trying to resolve here and figure out what happened,” Bello told 13Wham.
Rochester police have issued an appeal for help to the public after Heikki Rantakari went missing.
The appeal states: “He was last seen on Friday in the 1000 block of Exchange St. We believe that he may be in danger and anyone with information is encouraged to call 911.”
What has Heikki’s family said?
Following Heikki Rantakari’s missing person status, his family broke their silence in the unfortunate incident.
Fearing for his safety, Rantakari’s family said: “Heikki Rantakari is a hard-working professor and a nice, quiet man personally.
They added: “If anyone may have seen or spoken to him, any information from the public regarding his whereabouts is greatly needed to help find him ASAP… many are praying for his safe return.”
A Rochester University worker has asked the public for help in finding Professor Rantakari.
“I have never done this before, but it is important,” they wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“This is Heikki Rantakari, he’s a professor where I work.
“He’s been missing since Friday evening.
The coworker continued: “If you have seen him or know anything about his whereabouts, contact the Rochester PD.”
“A great guy, that we are all worried about.”
What is known about Heikki Rantakari’s wife and children?
Heikki Rantakari has been married to his wife Noelle Rantakari.
The couple’s love story, includingh how they met, where they held their wedding and how long they’ve been married, is not publicly known.
Also, there are no information about him being a father.
Who to contact if you have information?
Anyone with information surrounding Heikki’s disappearance is urged to call 911 or the Rochester Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at (585) 428-7157.