An autopsy has confirmed the identity of the man’s body found in a building at the former Iowa State dairy farm Wednesday evening. The State Medical Examiner says the body is that of missing I.S.U. student Jonathan Lacina.
Lacinas was a 21-year-old senior graphic design major from Grinnell. He was last seen January 22nd leaving a party in Ames, and was reported missing eight days later by his father. University, Ames and county law enforcement conducted several searches from the air and ground for Lacina’s body, but were unable to turn up any clues to his disappearance.
The I.S.U. Police Department says the cause and manner of Lacina’s death have yet to be determined, and it could be several days before the results of tests are analyzed.
Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy issued this statement:
“We are greatly saddened to learn that the body discovered in the former dairy facility south of the campus is Jonathan Lacina, and our deepest sympathies go out to his parents, Tom and Alesia; his brother, Joe, and their extended family for their loss,” Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy said in a statement. “We all held out hope that Jonathan would be found alive and well, but while that hope no longer exists, Jonathan’s family and friends can now begin to bring closure to this terrible ordeal.
“I want to thank everyone-from Jonathan’s family, friends and fellow students, to the law enforcement officials and many other faculty and staff-who remained so steadfast and who worked so diligently and tirelessly to find Jonathan and bring this tragic situation to a close.”