Missing Princeton University Student Found Dead: Officials

PRINCETON, NJ — The body of missing Princeton student Misrach Ewunetie was found Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m., Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri and Kenneth Strother Jr., Princeton University assistant vice president for public safety said.

Ewunetie’s body was found outside on the Facilities grounds behind the tennis courts at around 1 p.m. by a Facilities employee.

An autopsy will be conducted by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause and manner of Ewunetie’s death.

However, there were no obvious signs of injury and her death does not appear suspicious or criminal in nature, Onofri said.

Onofri expressed his condolences to Ewunetie’s family and the Princeton campus community.

He also thanked the many agencies who provided assistance and resources this week, including the Princeton Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, the New Jersey State Park Police, the West Windsor Township Police Department, the Hamilton Police Division, the Lawrence Township Police Department, the Princeton Fire Department, the West Windsor Fire Department, the Princeton First Aid Squad and the Trenton Fire Department Dive Team.

On Thursday evening, Gov. Phil Murphy condoled Ewunetie’s death. "We are heartbroken by the tragic news that missing Princeton University student Misrach Ewunetie was found dead this afternoon," Murphy said. "Our hearts go out to her family, friends, and fellow students who knew and loved her."

Law enforcement continued their search for Ewunetie Thursday morning. Increased police presence was reported on and around campus.

On Wednesday law enforcement was on and around campus, using a helicopter, drones and watercraft in their search.

Ewunetie was last seen around 3 a.m. Friday near Scully Hall. More: Undergraduate Student Reported Missing From Princeton University

According to a report by the Daily Princetonian, Ewunetie volunteered at Terrace Club on the night of Oct. 13. She was on housekeeping duty during a live performance at the eating club, the report said.

The student's brother, Universe Ewunetie, told NBC News he was texting with her Thursday and on Sunday her phone lost communication.

In a message to the campus community, W. Rochelle Calhoun mourned Ewunetie's death and said Princeton is a close-knit community.

"Misrach’s death is an unthinkable tragedy. Our hearts go out to her family, her friends and the many others who knew and loved her," Calhoun said.

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