Franklin, Mass. police said they have found a body they believe may be that of missing junior Michael Doherty, according to a report from CBS Boston.
At 2:30 p.m. Saturday, two civilians out searching in the woods found a body of a white male, according to the a post on the Franklin Police Department Facebook page. Confirmation will be available once the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner looks at the body. Sue Wasiolek, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students, sent an email to students Sunday evening regarding Doherty's death.
"I am enormously sad to let you know of the death of Duke student Michael Doherty," Wasiolek wrote. "Michael loved Duke and he is loved and will be missed by so many on campus."
Michael Doherty, a rising junior in the Pratt School of Engineering, was last seen last Sunday. On campus, Doherty is a member of Duke's chapter of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Local police have been searching neighborhoods in the community and are urging local residents to check their properties.
Last reported with a gathering of friends at about 1:30 a.m., Doherty was wearing a blue t-shirt with a Nike symbol, black pants and sneakers. A press release from the Franklin Police Department notes that he is 5 feet 10 inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes.
A report from WBZ-TV indicated that Doherty's shirt and shoe were found in an area that was being searched. State police are also reportedly using helicopters, drones, dogs and boats to search a swampy area near his neighborhood. The report notes that Doherty was leaving a party late Saturday night to walk a mile home when he was last seen. He was possibly attempting to take a shortcut home.
Check back for updates to this developing story.
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