Though Cathy Wilson looked bewildered when she noticed the makeshift beds strewn across People's Park, she hoped the homeless people who live there had clues to solve the mystery of her son's disappearance.

Matthew Wilson, a 20-year-old Rice University student, disappeared from his Houston, Tex. apartment last December. His car was found abandoned seven months later on Allston Way in Berkeley.

Tipped off by the Berkeley Police Department, Trinity Search and Recovery, a professional organization that helps locate missing people, visited People's Park, Telegraph Avenue and the UC Berkeley campus, said Bridget Melson, co-founder of Trinity Search and Recovery.

Two members of Trinity Search and Recovery accompanied Cathy Wilson in searching for Matthew Wilson across Berkeley on Saturday and Sunday. Although nobody volunteered to search on Saturday, two people volunteered on Sunday.

A high school valedictorian, Matthew Wilson disappeared from his Houston home on Dec. 15, just a few days before his finals, his mother said.

According to Cathy Wilson, the abandoned car found on Allston contained books on identity theft and on how to live cheaply in San Francisco. It also had a local Berkeley newspaper dated Jan. 8 and an alarm clock.

"There are strong indications that he left willingly," said Mike Melson, co-founder of Trinity Search and Recovery. "Berkeley's a good place to start over. The community here is very accepting and willing to reach out, and that could be very appealing to him."

Cathy Wilson said her son likely left home because he was mentally exhausted.

Upon arriving at People's Park, which houses many of Berkeley's homeless, Cathy Wilson said she refused to believe that her son may be homeless.

"I cannot see him living a homeless life. Matthew isn't a desolate man like these people," she said. "He has no cause living a wandering life."

Cathy Wilson said she just wants her son to give her a call.

"All he's got to do is say 'Mom, I'm OK,'" she said.

Matthew Wilson is described as a 20-year-old Caucasian male, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 135 pounds, with red hair. He may have a long beard and glasses.

Any information about Matthew Wilson's whereabouts can be directed to 925-846-2319. There is a $25,000 reward for information that leads to his discovery.

Tags: MATTHEW WILSON, RICE UNIVERSITY