Candlelight Vigil Held For OC Student Missing In Arizona

BREA (CBSLA.com) — A candlelight vigil was held Thursday evening for a missing Orange County man who goes to school in Arizona.

Friends and family of 19-year-old Jack Culolias gathered in Brea where Culolias went to high school.

CBS2 and KCAL9 reporter Brittney Hopper says there are still many unanswered questions.

"A very emotional night as dozens of family and friends gather here tonight. Tomorrow will be 2 weeks since Jack has been missing.. And family members want answers into the mystery of what happened to him..

Says his mother Grace, "When I sent him back home and put him on the airplane, I had no idea that it would be the last time I saw him.. It's horrific, horrific. Nobody should go through this."

Grace Culolias last saw her son for Thanksgiving while he was home from Arizona State University. Police say he was last seen November 30th while attending a fraternity event.

Detectives and volunteers have been searching for clues ever since.

Jack's shoe was found near a recreational river over the weekend. Family members are hopeful he's still alive, but as the days go on, that hope is dwindling..

Nick Culolias, the missing man's brother says, "I try to keep on thinking -- hope. But it goes away everyday little by little."

Stephanie Wiemann, a mother of a college student, organized the event. She said she was f eeling Grace's pain.

"I can't imagine what she's going through doing this alone," says Wiemann, "I want her to know everybody is out here fighting with her."

Grace went to ASU over the weekend -- to pack up her son's dorm room. She has this message for parents who have kids going to college: "Give them a big kiss and hug. Never stop calling and telling them you love them.. You know they're busy and don't want to talk. But just keep trying."

Hopper reports that Grace Cololias is not going to just sit idly by. She will hire an attorney and a private investigator as Arizona police continue their investigation.