Missing College Student Found Dead: Police

WEST WINDSOR, NJ — A Mercer County Community College student who had been missing for more than a month was found dead, the Hamilton Township Police Department said Monday afternoon.

The body of Nicholas Pratico was found across the street from the college on Old Trenton Avenue in West Windsor on Monday, police said. Hamilton police and New Jersey State Police found his body at about 10 a.m.

The cause of death wasn't immediately clear. An autopsy to determine a cause of death will be conducted by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner.

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"The Hamilton Police Division extends its deepest condolences to the Pratico family and would like to thank all the contributing state, local, county agencies and civilian volunteers for their assistance in this tragic incident," police said in a statement. "We also would like to thank the media for their help in getting Nick’s picture and story spread throughout the tri-state area."

Police Find Body Of Missing College Student Near Mercer County College

A police spokesman had no further comment Monday afternoon. However, detectives on the scene told 6 ABC there appeared to be no foul play involved. Pratico's body was found in a wooded area across the street from the college.

As the news broke Monday afternoon, condolences for the family began to appear on the “Find Nick Pratico” Facebook page. Some posts:

"I am very sorry for your loss. I pray that your family can find some way to heal."

"I am really so stunned and saddened by this. Prayers to his family and friends."

"Prayers to the Pratico family. May his memory be a blessing."

"My prayers and heartfelt condolences to the Pratico family. Nick is a young and beautiful soul who left this earth way too soon."

Pratico had been missing since Sept. 20 after enrolling in classes for his upcoming freshman semester. He was not operating any known car at the time he was reported missing. His student ID card was found on the college campus near the Edinburg Road entrance a few days after he was reported missing.

Police originally believed he may have been headed for the New York City area, specifically Times Square or the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts at 39 West 19th Street, where he was set to begin classes in the spring.

The family had been offering a reward for any information that leads to his safe return. He was a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, where a prayer service was held in the days following his disappearance.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Len Gadsby of the Hamilton Police Division Criminal Investigations Section at 609-581-4032 or the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at 609-581-4008.

See related: 4 Weeks Later And Still No Sign Of Missing MCCC Student

The attached image of Nicholas Pratico was previously provided by the West Windsor Police Department