Body Of Missing Franklin Student Found: Police

FRANKLIN, MA — The body found Saturday in the woods off I-495 indeed belonged to 20-year-old Michael Doherty, the Norfolk County District Attorney's office confirmed Monday morning. No evidence of foul play or trauma was found, but the medical examiner's office is still determining a cause of death.

“Our first thought is with Michael’s family and friends,” Norfolk DA Michael Morrissey said. “To them we extend our sincere condolences. I would be remiss if I did not thank the Franklin Police, regional and state law enforcement and so many in the community for their days and days of sustained searching in difficult terrain. The result was not what we had hoped.”

Franklin police on Saturday announced they found what is believed to be the body of Doherty, the student who went missing last Sunday. Police said the body was found near 495 in Franklin in dense woods.

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Doherty was last seen in Franklin on Phyllis Lane May 14 at about 1:30 a.m. as he left a party with friends. One of his shoes was found nearby; the other was found in Bellingham, police said. The search for Doherty stretched six days and involved helicopters, drones and scores of law enforcement personnel and volunteers.

Police said two civilians helping with the search found Doherty's body in thick woods Saturday at about 2:30 p.m. near Interstate 495.

"The thoughts and prayers of all the members of the Franklin Police Department and all of the other agencies that participated in searching for Michael go out to the Doherty family in this time of great tragedy," Franklin police said in a statement. "We would also like to thank the residents who helped search, and those who provided support to all the personnel who worked tirelessly to find Michael."

Police added, "Over the last six days countless man hours have been spent in the efforts to locate Michael, and bring him home to his family.

It's unclear how Doherty ended up in that location near I-495.

"An investigation into what happened to Michael will continue," police said.

Hundreds held a vigil for Doherty in Franklin during the search. He was a student at Duke University.

On Wednesday, his mother Nancy held a news conference.

"We are desperately hoping Michael can come home," she said in between tears. "That's all we want. We are devastated and (heartbroken). We don't wish this on anyone. We want our son home."

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• Missing Franklin Student Michael Doherty: Search Nears A Week
• Search For Michael Doherty Expands To Bellingham
• Franklin Student Michael Doherty Missing

Photo: Michael Doherty. (Credit: Franklin Police Department)