Body of missing U of Minn. student found in boxcar

Published 1:24 pm Friday, January 28, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS — Police say a body found in a boxcar near TCF Bank Stadium is that of a missing University of Minnesota student.

Twenty-year-old Keaton Murphy disappeared last week shortly after he was released from jail. The Star Tribune reports Murphy had been taken to jail on suspicion of distributing child pornography.

His parents had told police he might be suicidal.

Email newsletter signup

University Police Chief Greg Hestness says Murphy’s clothing and identification was on the body. Hestness says the cause of death is under investigation, but he did not believe it was a homicide.

College of Liberal Arts Dean James Parente said the university is “deeply saddened” by Murphy’s death and offered condolences to his family and friends.

A rail worker discovered the body in an industrial area near the football stadium Thursday.