UWM Student Sean Baek Still Missing

Sean Baek, an insulin dependent UW-Milwaukee student who went missing from Cambridge Commons Friday morning, was under the influence of LSD when he fled the dorms and is believed to still be in the Milwaukee area, but foul play is not suspected, UWM Police Chief Joseph LeMire said in a Monday press conference.

LeMire also debunked a Facebook post from a family member of Baek that detailed a theory that Baek was possibly abducted.

The Facebook post that alleged that Baek was kidnapped and transported to Chicago was created with the employment of a psychic, LeMire said. This version of events is not supported however by the facts police have, according to LeMire. The post was written by Kristin Stanke Erickson, who also wrote on Facebook that Baek is her son.

In the Feb. 17 press conference, LeMire provided other details of the disappearance.

A fellow student who knows Baek also allegedly consumed LSD the night of Baek’s disappearance and had a bad reaction, LeMire said. Authorities were notified by a fellow student of this, and medical responders were dispatched to the scene. Police speculate that it was with this knowledge that Baek fled Cambridge Commons and ran towards the Milwaukee River nearby.

Upon leaving the dorm, Baek texted his father, “I love you guys, I am so sorry,” according to LeMire. It is unconfirmed, however, what Baek meant exactly by this text.

Baek was last seen about 1:25 a.m. on Friday. From piecing together surveillance footage, Police determined that Baek ran out from Cambridge Commons and west towards the River. An eyewitness confirmed that he ran towards the nearby riverbank, according to LeMire.

UWM police did not previously share facts about reported drug use because they did not want possible witnesses to fear coming forward, according to a press release from Monday.

UWM Police are working with the Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee Fire Department in attempting to locate Baek.

Authorities have been searching the neighborhood and around the Milwaukee River for signs of Baek, but until a more specific area can be narrowed down, a dive team has not been deployed, according to LeMire.

“We need to give the family some closure,” LeMire said.

People close to Baek have been posting on social media in attempts to locate him. Here’s one example:

Anyone with information on Baek are asked to contact UWM Police at 414-229-4627 or the Milwaukee Police Department at 414-935-7211.