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Police identify body found on campus as missing student (April 14, 2016)

The Michigan State University Police Department has identified the body discovered April 13 on south campus as student Patrick Kegan Cochrane, who was reported missing early in the morning April 9.

Working with the Michigan State Police Aviation Unit, the body was discovered about 11:40 a.m. in a heavily wooded area east of the Baker Woodlot on the south side of campus. Police do not suspect foul play.

Cochrane, 21, was last seen at 3:15 p.m. April 8 in Snyder-Phillips Hall on MSU’s East Lansing campus. Information gathered by police and posted on Cochrane’s social media indicated he had plans to take his own life.

The thoughts and prayers of the MSU community are with Cochrane’s family and friends. For those in the campus community who may be personally affected by this tragedy or who are in need of counseling services, resources are available at the MSU Counseling Center. More information can be found at counseling.msu.edu.

Police and campus officials want to thank both the MSU and mid-Michigan communities for their assistance and support during the investigation.

MSUPD continues to investigate, and anyone with information or who saw Cochrane after 3:15 p.m. April 8 should contact police at (517) 355-2222.