A University of Michigan student has been found dead more than a day after going missing. He was last seen leaving a fraternity party in extremely cold conditions, wearing just a T-shirt and jeans, according to police.
Lukas Mattsson, 19, was last spotted around 1 a.m. on Friday when temperatures had plunged to 0°C. Reports indicate that he was missing for about 20 hours before his body was discovered on Saturday night during a search conducted under harsh weather conditions. Tragically, he is one of at least 34 individuals who have died as a result of Winter Storm Fern, which has impacted a significant portion of the U.S.
“At this time, we can confirm that Lucas attended a party at a fraternity house before his disappearance. He was not a member or a pledge,” stated Domenico Grasso, the interim president of the University of Michigan. He urged the university community against spreading “misinformation” regarding the circumstances surrounding Mattsson’s death.
He added, “We need to allow investigators to do their work and avoid speculation until we have the facts.” According to the Ann Arbor Police Department, Mattsson was reported missing on Friday around 4:30 p.m., but officers couldn’t locate him throughout the night.
The search encompassed assistance from various departments, including the Ann Arbor Police and the University of Michigan’s Drone Unit. It was intense, especially given the frigid weather conditions they faced.
Though there were no indications of trauma or foul play, authorities announced that the Washtenaw County Coroner’s Office would perform an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death.
Grasso has requested a review of the events surrounding Mattsson’s disappearance, aiming to understand what occurred and to prevent similar incidents in the future. He expressed gratitude for the community’s support for Lucas during this troubling time, especially those who helped search in such harsh weather.
