Family raising funds to find missing man
The family of a 24-year-old missing Burbank man, along with a local nonprofit, is collecting money to fund a private investigation into his disappearance.
Gevork Boyadzhyan was last seen leaving his Burbank home more than a month ago, but his family is holding onto hope that he will one day return home.
Boyadzhyan’s family, along with the Glendale-based Human Rights Defense, has set up a fund to raise money to hire a private investigator to investigate his disappearance.
Since Boyadzhyan went missing on July 20, no activity has been reported on his credit cards, and there’s been no sign of him at local hospitals or jails, according to his family.
Boyadzhyan, though, has had run-ins with law enforcement in the past. Los Angeles County Superior Court records show Boyadzhyan was convicted of robbery in September 2006 and vehicle theft two years later.
But after serving his last sentence, he turned his life around, said his sister Ana Akilyan, 30.
“He was staying away from everybody or anything that could be trouble for him,” Akilyan said. “He wanted to get married. He didn’t want to go back to jail; he didn’t want to get in trouble.”
Karo Karapetyan, president of the Human Rights Defense, said his organization plans to use the money not only to fund an investigation into Boyadzhyan’s disappearance, but also to contribute to search efforts for other missing people.
“We’re just taking our part, how can we help people,” Karapetyan said. The agency has created a website, www.themissingpeople.com, to publicize Boyadzhyan’s disappearance. “We’re going to use all our tools.”
Burbank police are investigating Boyadzhyan’s disappearance, but reportedly have no new leads. Authorities have no evidence of foul play, and Boyadzhyan reportedly made no indication that he wanted to hurt himself, according to Burbank Police Lt. Eddie Ruiz.
Boyadzhyan was last seen leaving his home near Grismer Avenue and San Fernando Boulevard in his white 2010 Lexus sedan, which has a black roof and black wheels. The California license plate number is 6MUG716.
Boyadzhyan was described by family members as 5 feet 10, weighing 170 pounds, with light brown eyes and short brown hair. He has a tattoo of a young boy on his right inner bicep.
Anyone with information about Boyadzhyan’s whereabouts, or who may have seen or communicated with him, is urged to call Burbank police at (818) 238-3243, or his family at (818) 414-1349. To remain anonymous, call (800) 222-TIPS.
To donate, visit www.themissingpeople.com.
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Follow Alene Tchekmedyian on Google+ and on Twitter: @atchek.
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