Vincenzo Lirosi’s body was found at approximately 1:20 p.m. Sunday by a New England Search and Rescue K-9 team in a marshy area off of Coe Drive in Durham, police said.
A University of New Hampshire student has been found dead around 36 hours after he went missing, Durham police announced Sunday.
The Durham Police Department began searching for Vincenzo Lirosi, 22, after he was reported missing at 3 a.m. Saturday. Police said Lirosi was drinking with friends before going missing around 1-1:30 a.m.
Lirosi's body was found at approximately 1:20 p.m. Sunday by a New England Search and Rescue K-9 team in a marshy area off of Coe Drive in Durham, police said.
Lirosi's family has been notified. The cause and manner of his death will be determined after an autopsy is completed, police said.
"Though this is not the outcome we had all hoped for, we are grateful that we were able to find Vincenzo and bring some closure to his family,” Durham Police Chief Rene Kelley said in a statement.
The University of New Hampshire shared a series of tweets Sunday evening, writing, "It is with very heavy hearts that we share the search for Vincenzo Lirosi did not end as we had hoped."
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Vincenzo’s family and friends," UNH added. "This is a very sad day for our community and right now we are focused on providing the support and resources needed for everyone who knew him or is impacted by his death."
UNH said while authorities are continuing to investigate Lirosi's cause of death, it's not believed to be suspicious at this time. Police have not confirmed that.
The university asked all faculty and staff to be considerate of students impacted by this tragedy and to offer accommodations for assignments and attendance. They also asked for any students who need support through this painful time to be referred to the school's psychological and counseling services on campus.
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"A sudden death brings a range of feelings, especially shock and disbelief," the university said on Twitter. "Please take care of yourself and seek help if you need it."
Durham police had asked for the public's help on Saturday in locating the missing UNH student. Authorities were searching locations they were told Lirosi might have gone, and it was believed that he took a path through a wooded area near Woodman Road, as a shortcut to his Woodman Road residence, police said on Saturday.
Numerous agencies were involved in the weekend search for Lirosi, including New Hampshire State Police, New Hampshire Fish and Game, the University of New Hampshire Police Department, the Strafford County Sheriff’s Department, New Hampshire State Liquor Enforcement – Law Enforcement Division, and New England K-9 Search and Rescue.
An investigation is ongoing.
