Police ask for help in Christian Aguilar case

Christian Aguilar still missing; Pedro Bravo remains in jail

MIAMI – Police in Gainesville are asking for help as they continue searching for a missing University of Florida student.

Christian Aguilar was last seen on September 20. Pedro Bravo, a friend from high school, is charged in connection with his disappearance.

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According to investigators, Aguilar and Bravo got into a fight that day. Bravo told police he beat Aguilar up and left him by a field on the UF campus, but has not said much since, according to detectives in Gainesville.

Investigators have been unable to account for Bravo's whereabouts on September 20 from about 3 p.m., when he was seen with Aguilar at an area Best Buy on surveillance video, to about 8 a.m. Friday.

"We had figured out some sort of a timeline for Christian on the last day he was seen," said Gainesville Police Officer Ben Tobias. "Now, we're kind of switching gears to Pedro's timeline to figure out exactly where he was and see if we can kind of plug in some holes there."

Investigators are asking business owners and residents to check surveillance footage for Bravo and his SUV, a 2004 Chevrolet Blazer.

The Blazer has a different front right wheel and tire. Bravo reportedly told police he wrecked the Blazer a week before Aguilar's disappearance, causing him to replace the rim, but investigated haven't confirmed that story.

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Anyone with tips for police in Gainesville can call 352-393-7670.

Search continues for Aguilar

On Friday, volunteers were searching southwest Gainesville for Aguilar. Several law enforcement agencies are helping with the search.

"The more days that pass, the odds get less and less. I wont say we are looking for a body at this point. I will not say that but I will say that we are continuing this search looking for Christian to give the family closure," said Tobias.

Bravo remains in jail on a $100,000 bond. He is charged with Depriving a Victim of Medical Care, a third-degree felony.

Carlos Aguilar, Christian's father, plans on going to the jail Friday to try to talk with Bravo.

"I don't think it's fair that a person is missing and the only person with information to find him is protected by the Fifth Amendment," said Carlos Aguilar. "That's ridiculous. We need to be able to have the authorities talk to people like that."

Bravo denied a visitation by Christian's brother and girlfriend on Thursday. Bravo and Aguilar's girlfriend dated while the three were in high school at Doral Academy.

Aguilar's brother still hopes they'll find Christian.

"I want to find him but at times I don't. Not in the sense that, you know, cause I don't want to find him in these woods," said Alexander Aguilar.

On Wednesday, investigators said Bravo purchased a shovel and duct tape a few days before Aguilar went missing.

Carlos Aguilar asks anyone who knows what happened to his son to come forward. Tips about what happened to Christian should be made by calling 352-393-7670.

A donation station for Aguilar's family will be set up in Sweetwater on Saturday. The family needs water, snacks, machetes, and rubber boots.

Donations can be made out to Doral Academy c/o Christian Aguilar or can be made at Sweetwater City Hall from 1 to 4 p.m.