A body was found in Salt River Sunday (Dec. 16) and is believed to be that of a missing Arizona State University student, authorities say.
Two private search groups were called in to locate 19-year-old Jack Culolias, who disappeared Nov. 30 after he was last seen allegedly being kicked out of a Tempe bar during a fraternity party and was suspected of being drunk.
MSNBC reports that the deceased pulled from the water was wearing a single red shoe, leading to the “strong possibility” that the body is that of Culolias, said police spokeswoman Molly Enright in a statement later Sunday. Pooley said the county medical examiner will have to identify the body, which had apparently been in the water for an extended period.
The student’s mother was notified of the developments, police said.
Authorities searched the river north of Tempe Marketplace using underwater cameras and radar equipment looking for Culolias after his disappearance but came up empty.
State officials confirmed last week they were investigating the bar near ASU where Culolias was last seen. Arizona Department of Liquor Licensing and Control officials said the agency is reviewing information from Cadillac Ranch at Tempe Marketplace over concerns of possible underage drinking.
Culolias used a fake ID to get into Cadillac Ranch to drink when about 200 other people were inside at the time, police said. He also had expressed concerns to his family about being “scared” about his initiation into the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity going into pledge week, which also is known as “hell week,” authorities told the East Valley Tribune.
Campus police said his friends saw him heading to a taxi cab and never saw him again. His shoe was later found by the river. [Vibe]
