The body of missing Louisiana State University (LSU) student Kori Gauthier was found in the Mississippi River on Tuesday, according to authorities.
“Since Kori was first reported missing, the LSU Police Department, Baton Rouge Police Department and other law enforcement agencies and volunteers have taken exhaustive measures to locate her and, in the process, to determine what led to her disappearance,” LSU Chief of Police Bart Thompson said in a statement. “This is a difficult conclusion for all of us, but we hope this will bring closure for the Gauthier family.”
“Based on cell phone tracking, video footage and a timeline of the events related to this case – combined with other evidence we shared with Kori’s parents that we are not at liberty to disclose publicly out of respect for their privacy – we have concluded that there was no criminal activity or foul play involved.”
Sad news Kori Gauthier body has been found ???? prayers for her family pic.twitter.com/5ZWbsF7AMy
— BlackCultureEntertainment???? (@4TheCulture____) April 14, 2021
Gauthier was last seen April 6, according to CNN. Her car was found at the scene of an accident the next day on the I-10 bridge in Baton Rouge, though Gauthier was nowhere to be found, according to CNN.
The driver who hit Gauthier’s car, Devin Jones, said he checked on Gauthier’s car after hitting it but found no one inside, according to WAFB 9. Gauthier’s car was left running, according to the report. Authorities found Gauthier’s cell phone and other personal belongings in the vehicle, according to WAFB 9. (RELATED: Missing Woman Reportedly Said ‘If Anything Happened’ To Her, It Was Her Husband)
Gauthier’s family was unaware she was missing until one day after her abandoned car was found, noting she did not show up at a doctor’s appointment and had not shown up back at her dorm, according to 4WWL.
“Her mom called me multiple times and that’s highly unusual and she sent me a text that my daughter wasn’t answering her phone,” Gauthier’s father, Levar Gauthier said, according to WAFB 9. “So I immediately started calling and trying to contact her and got nothing.”
“Our LSU community is devastated to learn of the loss of Kori Gauthier,” Interim LSU President Tom Galligan said. “Our thoughts are with her parents, her family, and all who knew her during this very difficult time.”