Misrach Ewunetie: Body of missing Princeton University student found, officials say

PRINCETON, N.J. - A Princeton University student from Ohio who went missing near campus roughly a week ago was found dead Thursday, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri said.

Misrach Ewunetie, 20, was found by an employee at about 1 p.m. behind tennis courts on the campus facilities grounds, Onofri said. There were no obvious signs of injury "her death does not appear suspicious or criminal in nature," but an official cause of death will be determined after a medical examiner’s review, he said.

"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," University Vice President W. Rochelle Calhoun said in a statement.

An extensive search was launched for Ewunetie after she was reported missing. A large law enforcement presence remained on campus and in nearby areas Thursday.

Ewunetie was last seen heading into her dorm room at the Ivy League school in the early morning hours of Oct. 14, school officials said. But when her roommate returned to the dorm about 90 minutes later, Ewunetie was not there.

"Misrach was a cherished member of the Terrace community and a kind, loving soul," Alexander Moravcsik, Princeton Terrace Club President, said. "The club is grieving in the wake of this awful tragedy and our hearts are with her family, who must be going through the unimaginable."

According to her LinkedIn profile, Ewunetie was a junior pursuing a sociology degree with a computer applications certificate. She was valedictorian at Villa Angela-St. Joseph high school in Cleveland, Ohio, before accepting a full scholarship to Princeton.