Body found near campus

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a developing story and will be updated as information is available.

A body was found south of the Purdue University campus early Thursday evening may be that of a student reported missing last Friday morning.

According to West Lafayette Police Capt. Mike Francis, a body was detected by crewmembers of an Indiana State Police helicopter around 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The body of a male in his 20s was found in five feet of water in a pond. The pond is in a heavily wooded area northwest of the Purdue University Power Plant, which is south of campus and outside the city limits.

Local authorities have been searching the area for nearly a week for a missing 22-year senior, Jeremy P. Francis. On Wednesday, they searched the Tippecanoe River and on Thursday went to the air.

Francis was reported missing between 3 and 4 a.m. last Friday. Police believe he was involved in a verbal confrontation outside the bar and then left the area running. A sandal, believed to belong to Francis, was discovered on Wednesday less than a block south of the bar he left.

The pond, where police found the body, is less than 10 blocks south of that area.

Police have notified Francis' Flora, Ind. family that a body matching the description of the missing student has been found.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Friday to determine the cause of death and to identify the body. Police do not suspect foul play at this time.

Court extends date of reveler hearing

From Staff Reports

The hearing for a change of venue for the case of a former Purdue student alleged to have manufactured an explosive device during the April 1 revelries has been rescheduled for a later date.

Everett L. Owen, 19, a freshman in the Schools of Engineering, was arrested the night of the disturbances on charges of manufacturing an explosive device.

Owen's attorney, Linda Wagoner, said the rescheduling is to provide more time to gather information.