NEW BRIGHTON (KDKA) — Authorities say a body discovered Thursday morning near a dam at the Beaver River is that of a Geneva College student who went missing earlier this year.

The body was found off of East 8th Street in New Brighton near Big Rock Park about three miles from the college campus. Authorities completed an autopsy on the remains this afternoon.

Devon Minor, 19, was last seen on Jan. 20. He was originally from suburban Philadelphia and was a freshman at the college.

He was reported missing to college officials by his roommates. Police said they found his wallet, iPod, cell phone and a jacket inside his dorm room back in January.

Late last month, authorities combed the Beaver Falls area near the school looking for Minor, but nothing was found.

Officials say Minor took his own life.

KDKA’s Lynne Hayes-Freeland reports that students on campus received an email alert informing them of the discovery of the body this morning.

“As we mourn the loss of Devon, we pray for a comfort and a peace that only the Lord can provide,” Dr. Ken Smith, president of Geneva College, said.

“I just felt like I needed to come to be able to hear about it and kind of get closure on it,” Sara Whalen, a freshman at Geneva, said.

“I’m sure nobody wanted to believe, like, that he was gone, but, you know, hopefully, everybody just heals,” Ryan Thompson, a freshman, said.

Many of Minor’s classmates described him as a loner who kept to himself.

RELATED LINKS:
New Brighton
Geneva College

RELATED STORIES:
Search Resumes For Missing College Student In Beaver Falls
More News from Beaver County
More Local News