On Wednesday, January 25, 2017, a 23-year-old white gay Northside resident joined friends for drinks at a Market Square venue. His name is Dakota Leo James and after leaving the bar, he vanished.

Dakota is an employee of HBHunt and a part-time graduate students at Duquesne University. His family and friends grew worried when he failed to show up for work on Thursday and was not responsive to phone calls. There has been no cell phone or financial activity since then. Dakota has been living on the Northside in the East Allegheny neighborhood near Allegheny Center.

Dakota’s family has traveled en masse from Frederick, Maryland to search for him. They are canvassing Downtown and reaching out through the media to raise awareness about their son. They insist that it is out of character for him to disappear.

Please share this post widely on all social media channels. The number for the missing person’s unit is listed below. You can also reach out to Dakota’s family via a Missing Person Facebook page that is updated with information, flyers to print, etc.

Here are the pertinent details about Dakota:

Date Last Seen: January 25, 2017

Location Last Seen: Market Square, Pittsburgh PA

Type of Case: Unexplained

Age at time missing: 23 yrs old

Caucasian, Male

Height: 5’8″

Weight: 140 lbs

Hair Color: Brown

Hair Style: Closely Shaven

Eye Color: Blue

Piercings: Yes

Last Known Clothing: Jeans, Green jacket, brown slipper style shoes

Tattoos: One on left ankle, from harry potter, called Deathly Hallows

Scars/Marks: small upper lip

If info, or seen, please contact the

City of Pittsburgh Police at (412) 323-7201