Franklin Student's Death: 'No Foul Play'

FRANKLIN, MA — Authorities on Friday announced they believe there was no foul play in the death of Michael Doherty, the 20-year-old Duke University student found dead in a thickly wooded area in his Franklin hometown. Doherty somehow became lost walking after he left a party with friends and died of hypothermia, officials announced Friday.

Doherty went missing May 14; his body was found a week later. The state Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy and said his cause of death was "hypothermia brought about by prolonged exposure to atmospheric cold." The manner of death was ruled accidental.

“We find no evidence of foul play in Mr. Doherty’s death,” Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said in a statement Friday. “Our thoughts are very much with the Doherty family as they grieve Michael and live through this tragic time.”

Doherty was found about a quarter-mile from the site of the party, officials said. The week-long search effort involved scores of volunteers, helicopters and drones, among other resources.

“The Franklin Police, State Police and regional law enforcement spared no effort in searching for Michael, and the larger Franklin community was exemplary in its support of those efforts and his family," Morrissey added. "We all wish the result of that effort had been different."

Previous:

• Body Of Missing Franklin Student Found: Police
• 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)