BREAKING NEWS: Body of ISU student found

(Updated 5/9/09 11:05 a.m.)

The body of missing ISU student Gerald L. Smith was recovered from the Wabash River in Vincennes Friday evening.

An autopsy was conducted at 8:00 a.m. May 9 at Terre Haute Regional Hospital.

ISU director of Public Saftey Bill Mercier said the autopsy revealed that there are no signs of foul play and the cause of death is consistent with accidental drowning.

Approximately 7:30 p.m., officials from the Knox County Coroner's Office contacted ISU Public Safety to inform them that a body matching Smith's description was found in the river, said Tara Singer, assistant vice president of Communications and Marketing. A short time later, the coroner's office called back to report that ID found in a wallet in a pants pocket confirmed it was Smith.

Vincennes Police said later Friday night that the matter was still under investigation and no information could be released.

Smith, 22, a senior insurance and risk management major, had been reported missing early May 1. He was last seen around 12:40 a.m. outside the Ballyhoo Tavern, located at Ninth and Chestnut Streets, by a professor who offered him a cab ride home.

Smith and classmates had been celebrating the end of the semester at the tavern. After refusing the professor's offer, Smith began walking south on Ninth Street.

Searches conducted by ISU Police concentrated near the Wabash River in Terre Haute, because photos on his Facebook page indicated he frequented the area, Mercier said earlier this week. Indiana conservation officers also searched the river. On Sunday, a bloodhound also sniffed a trail from the Ballyhoo to First and Chestnut Streets near the water, Mercier said.

Singer said a local citizen found the body in Vincennes, Ind. at approximately 7:30 p.m. Friday

Singer said Smith's wallet was found in the pocket of his pants and all the clothes he had last been seen wearing were on his person. The police department used the driver's license in the wallet to identify Smith's body.

Bill Mercier, director of ISU's department of public safety, said the Avon Police Department informed Smith's parents about the discovery of Smith's body at around 9 p.m., according to the Terre Haute Tribune-Star's Web site. Smith's girlfriend was also informed.

An autopsy on Smith is scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday at Terre Haute Regional Hospital, Singer said. A moment of silence will also be held during Saturday's Spring Commencement in Hulman Center.

President Daniel J. Bradley released a statement, expressing his and wife Cheri's condolences to Smith's family and friends.

"We are proud of the way the university came together during the past week to search for Gerald," Bradley said.

Bill Mercier, director of ISU's department of public safety, expressed appreciation for all the help the campus and community provided.

"We appreciate all who helped and pitched in [with the search for Smith]," he said. "We're saddened with how it turned out, but we appreciate everyone's help."

ISU Student Government President Michael Scott Jr. and Vice President Ryan Sullivan sent a global e-mail to the student body to inform and express condolences.

"Much thanks to all who have rallied together over the past week in search of Gerald," the e-mail said. "It is a sign of the true feeling of family amongst students and the entire ISU community."

"On behalf of the students of Indiana State University," the e-mail said, "Ryan and I would like to express our deepest sympathies to Gerald's family and friends."

Smith was an avid blogger for techcores.com, a Web site specializing in technology blogs.

In the biographical information on Smith's twitter page, he said, "I'm just a tech geek who likes to blog."

Taylor Jasko, friend of Smith and creator of techcores.com, posted a blog late May 8:

"For all of you readers, Gerald Smith was a guy I cannot describe in my own words. He was so much, it would almost take a whole bible to write about him. Every time I've talked with him, Gerald was always so up-going and willing to help and give new suggestions. He was more than a best friend, he was there for all of us. He's the type of person who gets things done and always keeps his motivation up. He was about to graduate college very soon here."

"But please, even though he's not visually with us, he will always be in our hearts. I know for a fact that Gerald's soul will always be with him, and also with his bird sounding in my ears. I will never forget him, as he was a guy who appreciated everyone."

"To all of friends and family of Gerald, I'm sorry for your loss. And honestly, I feel the same feeling you do."

"He will always be in our hearts forever and ever."

Jasko's full blog post about Smith at techcores.com