University of Rochester Professor Missing Since Friday ‘May Be in Danger,’ Police Say

Heikki Rantakari, a professor at the University of Rochester, was last seen on Friday night, according to authorities

A professor at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York, who has been missing since Friday, “may be in danger” according to the police.

The Rochester Police Department said Heikki Rantakari, 44, was last seen on Friday night.

“We are seeking the public's help in locating 44-year old Heikki Rantakari,” Rochester Police wrote in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) Tuesday.

“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.”

The post also featured a photo of Rantakari.

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, the university said Rantakari was reported missing after he failed to show up to teach a scheduled class on campus on Saturday morning.

“We thank all local law enforcement agencies and the University of Rochester’s Department of Public Safety in supporting this investigation," the statement read, in part. "We’re asking for the public’s support in reporting anything that relates to Professor Rantakari’s whereabouts by calling 911. The University is hopeful that he is found safe very soon."

Per the university’s website, Rantakari is an associate professor at the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School and specializes in economics and management.

According to a report from Rochester ABC affiliate WHAM, police said Rantakari checked into an Airbnb property after arriving in Rochester from Boston on Friday night. On Tuesday afternoon, investigators searched the Airbnb, which is within walking distance of the university, per the outlet.

'We did find evidence that he was there, so we do know he did check into his Airbnb on Friday," Rochester Police Capt. Greg Bello told WHAM. "Now it's a matter of what happened from there, and that's what we're trying to track down."

"Obviously, it's concerning that he flew here for a specific meeting, to teach a specific class or multiple classes, and has not shown up for them — which, from what we’re told, is far outside his norm," Bello continued, per the outlet.

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"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. We need that public assistance. We need that help getting the message out so we can confirm he's OK."

Rochester Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for further information.

In a statement shared with local media outlet News 8 WROC, Rantakari’s family said he was last seen between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Exchange Street — the street where his Airbnb was located — and that he weighs approximately 180 pounds, is 5ft 11in and has blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Heikki Rantakari is a hard-working professor and a nice, quiet man personally," the family’s statement read, in part. "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."

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