Tragic Discovery of Missing Student in Sub-Zero Conditions
The body of a 19-year-old college student has been discovered after he went missing while walking in dangerously cold temperatures wearing only light clothing. Lucas Mattson, a student at the University of Michigan, vanished during extreme winter conditions in Ann Arbor, just outside Detroit, and was found deceased approximately 15 hours after he was last seen.
Timeline of a Tragic Disappearance
According to Ann Arbor Police, Mattson was last observed walking alone at around 1am on Friday in the 1700 block of Hill Street. He was reportedly wearing just a t-shirt and jeans despite temperatures plummeting to 0°F that night. The student was reported missing later that day at 4:30pm, prompting an immediate search effort by officers who scoured the area overnight without success.
Police issued a formal alert at 9pm Friday, stating that Mattson was considered endangered due to the frigid conditions. During their search, authorities shared a photograph of the student wearing a khaki jumper and appealed to the public for assistance in locating him.
The Discovery and Investigation
Mattson's body was found around noon on Saturday on the 1900 block of Cambridge Road, less than half a mile from where he was last seen. Police have stated there were no obvious signs of trauma and do not suspect foul play at this stage. The Washtenaw County Medical Examiner's Office will determine the official cause and manner of death.
The University of Michigan confirmed Mattson's death in a heartfelt statement, expressing deep sadness and offering support to the grieving community. Our hearts are with Lucas's family, friends, and all those who knew and loved him during this incredibly difficult time, the college said, acknowledging the distressing impact of this news on the campus community.
Dangerous Weather Conditions
The tragedy occurred as Winter Storm Fern swept across the United States, bringing heavy snowfall and treacherous conditions to more than 34 states including Michigan. The extreme cold presented significant dangers to anyone exposed without adequate protection, highlighting the severe risks of such weather events.
Parallel Case of Another Student Tragedy
This incident emerges as legal proceedings begin in a separate case involving the death of another college student. Riley Strain, a 22-year-old Missouri University student, disappeared while intoxicated during a fraternity trip to Nashville, Tennessee, on March 8, 2024. His body was discovered two weeks later in the Cumberland River with no signs of foul play.
Strain's family has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against the Delta Chi fraternity chapter at Missouri University, alleging insufficient safety measures during their social event. A Boone County judge recently removed several defendants from the lawsuit before it proceeds to trial, marking another tragic chapter in campus safety concerns.
The circumstances surrounding both cases raise important questions about student welfare, institutional responsibility, and the devastating consequences that can result from vulnerable situations during extreme weather or social events.
