Massachusetts

Officials: Body Found in Franklin, Mass. is Missing Student

A body found in Franklin, Massachusetts, is confirmed to be that of 20-year-old Michael Doherty. 

Police said that, although an investigation is ongoing, there is no evidence of foul play.

Police said that the body was discovered around 2:30 p.m. Saturday in thick underbrush in an area of dense woods, about 450 feet from Interstate 495. 

The 2015 Xaverian Brothers High School graduate was last seen leaving a gathering of about 25 childhood friends on Phyllis Lane in Franklin at 1:30 a.m. Sunday. He had just returned home from college at Duke University for summer break two weeks ago. 

His parents reported him missing when he didn't return home from the party. His family said Doherty texted his brothers asking for a ride at 12:30 a.m., but they were already asleep. Doherty ultimately decided to walk roughly a mile to his home. 

His cell phone last pinged near the intersection of Oak Street Extension and Schofield Road in Franklin at 1:08 a.m. Sunday. It's behind that intersection, down a railroad path, that one of his shoes and his T-shirt were found. Another shoe was found on the other side of Mine Brook. 

The cause and manner of death remain undetermined and are still under under investigation.

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