Izzy Wondwossen, the Howard University senior who disappeared on her way to class Tuesday, has been found safe. Police announced Saturday evening that the 22 year old was located “in good health,” five days after her family last saw her.
Esube “Izzy” Konjit Wondwossen’s day started like any other school day. Her father dropped her off at the Branch Avenue Metro Station in Prince George’s County around 7 a.m. on September 15 for her usual commute to Howard. He said she seemed happy and nothing felt off. Her sister Helina said Izzy told their dad she would see him later and to have a good day.
She never made it to campus. She was seen leaving the Pentagon Metro Station in Arlington just before 8 a.m., and her sister said a later sighting placed her getting off a Metro bus near Reading Avenue and Beauregard Street in Alexandria around 8:25 a.m. Her family said they had no idea why she would have gone to Alexandria. When her mother, Aida Endrias, tried to locate her, she found that the location tracking on her daughter’s phone had been turned off.
Her family said the search was not moving fast enough. Helina told News4 that they did not learn Izzy had reached the Pentagon station until three days after she disappeared, and she pleaded for a sense of urgency. Relatives spent the week handing out flyers in Arlington and Alexandria and asking businesses to check their surveillance cameras. The Black and Missing Foundation, a Hyattsville nonprofit, pushed Izzy Wondwossen’s case across social media, and Howard students shared it widely.
Wondwossen studies international affairs and made the dean’s list in Howard’s College of Arts and Sciences for the 2024 to 2025 school year. She has also coached dance for the university’s Ethiopian Eritrean Student Association. Her sister said she has been looking forward to graduating.
Police have not said where Izzy Wondwossen was found or what happened during the five days she was gone. They said no more information would be released for now.
