Authorities Continue Search for Missing Missouri Student

Authorities continue to search for a missing University of Missouri-Columbia student who has not been seen in more than 10 days.

Nicholas Coppola, 25, of Weldon Springs, Mo., was last seen on Dec. 10 in his apartment in Columbia. Two days later, police found his car abandoned along I-70 near Foristell. His cell phone and wallet were in the car and the driver's seat was reclined, KTVI-FOX2now.com reports.

"When we finally did get into the car we found his wallet and his cell phone still inside the vehicle," Foristell Police Chief Douglas Johnson told the station. "Some red flags go up immediately with something like that, especially with the weather conditions they were that day, that's very odd to find an individual's cell phone and wallet still in the car."

A forensic exam of the car does not suggest foul play, but Coppola's parents told the station that he had taken this past semester off and secluded himself from friends and family.

"There are some indications that he had recently been involved with a religious sect in the Columbia area," Johnson continued. "Why he would leave the car here with so much important stuff inside remains a mystery one that police and parents alike want solved."

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