STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. -- The wife of a missing Howard University PhD student who vanished Tuesday after he left his Stafford County home to pick up his graduation packet from the Washington, D.C. school, is pleading for help to find her husband.
Lance Calvin Buckley was last seen by his family at around 8 a.m. Tuesday when his mother dropped him off at the Staffordboro Commuter Lot off Route 610 where he slugs, or gets a ride with a stranger, to school. The commuter lot is about 40 miles from the university.
The 33-year-old father of two, who was completing his PhD in microbiology, was reported missing by his family Tuesday night.
"Lance, I love you so much no matter what I just want you to come home," said Amy Buckley, who could barely stand as she was overcome with emotion. "I just want you home, baby. I love you. You're the love of my life."
Buckley's family said that he usually stays in contact with them throughout the day. To not hear from him for a couple of hours is odd, but for him to not make contact for more than 30 hours was considered troubling.
Stafford County Sheriff's Office spokesman Bill Kennedy said that Buckley has two daughters, one of whom is only 11 days old.
"Please look back at Lance's picture. Please think back, 'Have you seen him?'" Buckley's mother, Loretta, begged. "We are hoping somebody out there gives us information."
Law enforcement said there has been no trace of the missing father said since his wife received a text message from her husband around 10:16 a.m.
"The contents of the text indicate that it was from Lance Buckley," Kennedy said.
Lance Calvin Buckley (PHOTO: Stafford County Sheriff’s Office)
Deputies do not suspect the drivers who drove Buckley to DC were involved in his disappearance since records showed an ATM withdrawal and a text message from Howard's campus.
"If that individual is out there who drove Lance to DC yesterday, please contact the Stafford County Sheriff's Office," Kennedy said.
Additionally, detectives said late Wednesday that Buckley may have had a handgun with him, but that he "is absolutely no danger to anyone."
Howard University released the following statement about Buckley Wednesday afternoon:
"Howard University is aware of the Stafford County, VA report of a missing Howard PhD. student, Lance Calvin Buckley. The University is cooperating fully with the authorities in their investigation."
Buckley is described as a white male, 5 feet 11 inches tall, and weighing 150 pounds. He has brown hair and was last seen wearing blue jeans, a dark colored t-shirt and gray Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers.
Anyone who has seen Lance Buckley or knows his whereabouts was asked to contact the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office at 540-658-4400 or Crime Solvers at 540-659-2020.
