Body of Missing Princeton Student Misrach Ewunetie Found on University Campus

A file photo of Princeton University campus. Shutterstock

Law enforcement officials confirmed on Oct. 20 that they have found the body of a 20-year-old Princeton University student who went missing around one week ago.

Misrach Ewunetie, from Ohio, was last seen at around 3 a.m. on Oct. 14 near a residential building on the campus at the Ivy League university in New Jersey.

Her parents raised the alarm after they had not heard from the undergraduate student for a few days and she failed to show up for an interview regarding her American citizenship application, the U.S. Sun reported.

An extensive search was then launched which involved an increased law enforcement presence on the campus, as well as the use of helicopters,  drones, and watercraft.

Ewunetie’s body was found by an employee at about 1 p.m. on Oct. 20, on the facilities grounds at the University, behind tennis courts, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri said in a statement.

‘No Obvious Signs Of Injury’

An autopsy will determine her cause of death, but they said there were “no obvious signs of injury and her death does not appear suspicious or criminal in nature,” Onofri said.

A statement from the university’s vice president for campus life, W. Rochelle Calhoun, called Misrach’s death “an unthinkable tragedy.”

“Our hearts go out to her family, her friends, and the many others who knew and loved her,” the statement read.

Despite the circumstances of the young woman’s death not yet being confirmed, University officials sought to fend off concerns regarding the safety of the campus, noting that “since Misrach was reported missing on Sunday, the Department of Public Safety has been working closely with local and state law enforcement and does not believe there is any related threat to campus or the surrounding area.”

Ewunetie was last seen heading into her dorm room at the Ivy League school before she went missing. One evening prior, the young woman had volunteered during a music event at the Terrace Club, one of Princeton’s 11 eating clubs, according to the Daily Princetonian.

The university said in its statement on Thursday that it is planning an opportunity for students to join together and remember Ewunetie. Counseling and psychological services are also being provided to students at the school.

“We know this is an upsetting time for our community, especially Misrach’s fellow students,” the university said. “Princeton is a close-knit community, and we mourn Misrach together.”

‘Dearly Loved By Her Family’

Ewunetie and her family came to the United States from Ethiopia in 2008, according to reports. She grew up in Euclid, Ohio, where she graduated from Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School in 2020 where she was valedictorian.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Ewunetie was a rising junior pursuing a sociology degree with a computer applications certificate.

Her brother, Universe Ewunetie, told NBC that he had been communicating with his sister via text messages on Oct. 13 before her phone lost communication early on Oct. 16. He described his sister as “a very smart, empathetic person who cares for people.”

“She’s dearly loved by her family and everybody that has known her and that has ever come to her. People that are from her middle school to high school, from people that even interviewed her,” he said. “She was valedictorian. She’s a very smart girl.”

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also shared his condolences in a statement on Twitter on Oct. 20 evening.

“We are heartbroken by the tragic news that missing (Princeton) University student Misrach Ewunetie was found dead this afternoon,” he wrote. “Our hearts go out to her family, friends, and fellow students who knew and loved her.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.