Ohio college student who was reported missing is found dead; police say no foul play suspected
2/9/2014GRANVILLE, Ohio — Staff and students at a central Ohio college are mourning a student found dead after an intensive, hours-long search.
Authorities don’t suspect foul play in the death of 21-year-old Denison University student David Hallman. However, state crime investigators are assisting, and the cause of death wasn’t known immediately.
Granville police Sgt. Keith Blackledge said the body was found outside at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, about a half mile from the place he was last seen. Hallman had reportedly left Brew’s Cafe at about 2 a.m. Blackledge told The Newark Advocate that Hallman wasn’t dressed for freezing weather, and likely died of exposure.
Police, firefighters and volunteers launched a search at about 1 p.m. after Hallman’s father called police. Efforts to contact the senior from Erie, Pa., by cellphone had been unsuccessful.
Searchers went door to door, handing out photos of Hallman and asking residents to check garages and sheds. A helicopter flew over the area. Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers also helped.
The university, about 40 miles northeast of Columbus, said counselors and clergy were summoned to campus to help the Denison community cope.
“The Denison family will come together to mourn the loss of David,” the university said in a statement late Saturday.