Body found – The body of 22-year-old Murry Foust, a Northern Kentucky University student missing since April 27, was found in a wooded area near the campus on May 24. Authorities said they do not suspect foul play, and the Campbell County Coroner’s Office will determine th
By May 24, the weeks of searching had finally narrowed to one hard, quiet moment: the body of a Northern Kentucky University student who had been missing for nearly a month was found in a wooded area near campus.
Covington Police Department said the remains of 22-year-old Murry Foust were located in a nearby city of Wilder. Kentucky. by an independently organized search group. The discovery came after an extensive effort involving local law enforcement and volunteers. following Foust’s disappearance on April 27 in the Latonia neighborhood of Covington. just south of Cincinnati.
Police said they did not suspect foul play. Investigators from the Covington Police Department were working with the Wilder Police Department and the Campbell County Coroner’s Office to examine the scene. and the coroner’s office will determine the cause and manner of death. Police added that no additional details would be released until that process is completed.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the Foust family and their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” the Covington Police Department said. “While we are saddened by this loss, we hope this development can provide the family with some answers and a measure of closure.”
Officials also urged the public to allow investigators to continue their work and noted that the Foust family has requested privacy “as they grieve.”
Foust was last seen on April 27, according to the Covington Police Department. Police issued an alert on April 30 and requested help locating Foust.
The investigation and search were supported by multiple groups. including volunteer-based search organization EquuSearch Midwest. Boone County Water Rescue. the Wilder Police Department and Northern Kentucky University. police said. Privately organized search efforts—made up of Foust’s friends. relatives and community members—also conducted independent searches. according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. part of the USA TODAY Network.
As investigators worked to piece together what happened. authorities had sought public tips after obtaining surveillance images showing what Foust was wearing before going missing. At the time. Northern Kentucky University spokesperson Corey Best said. “We are deeply concerned and our thoughts are with their family. friends and all those impacted. The Covington Police Department is leading the investigation, and we are fully cooperating and supporting their efforts.”.
A timeline that began with an outreach for help unfolded into a community-wide search. In a Facebook post. one of Foust’s friends said Foust had been on the way to campus from Over-the-Rhine—north of downtown Cincinnati—on the evening of April 27. The friend said. “Murry never made it to class and has been missing ever since. ” and added that Foust’s car was found a block from their apartment in the Latonia neighborhood.
The friend also said Foust’s bag was located at Northern Kentucky University, and that police later found Foust’s cellphone while searching Foust’s apartment.
Friends, family and members of the local community shared information online and in person to distribute images and organize their own searches.
Foust was set to graduate from Northern Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts on May 9, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. The same report said Foust was a transgender man who was early in the process of transitioning.
Their disappearance also reached beyond the search effort, reaching into campus rituals. During Northern Kentucky University’s spring commencement earlier this month, a moment of silence was held in Foust’s honor.
At the ceremony, Northern Kentucky University Provost Diana McGill said, “Murry, we hope to see you soon so we can hand you the diploma you have earned,” before graduates walked across the stage.
Bee Wang. 25. previously told the Cincinnati Enquirer that they met Foust at the end of last summer at a Trans-Masc Cincy event and described them as a “light to the community.” Wang said that after the event. the two sat in Wang’s car talking for hours. and Wang told Foust about wanting to carve a queer future in religion. Wang said Foust had been attending a Spanish-speaking church at the time and had lots of questions.
Wang said the two had planned to do drag and art together when they were free from their studies. but that the last time they saw each other was at Foust’s senior art exhibit. “It was really cool to find another queer person who was open and wanting to talk deeply about spirituality with me. ” Wang said.
When the discovery finally came, Foust’s family moved quickly to thank the community for support. In a statement posted on a Facebook page dedicated to search efforts on May 25. the family said. “While our hearts are broken and this is not the outcome we were hoping for. we can only pray that finding them provides closure and comfort to everyone who is hurting.”.
They added that they are establishing an art scholarship fund to honor Foust’s “love of art,” and that any donations or proceeds from the sale of Foust’s work will be used to support other art students in the community.
The investigation is now shifting from searching for a missing student to understanding the final chapter—while the question many families are left with lingers: what closure can be built from answers still pending. Police said no additional details would be released until the Campbell County Coroner’s Office completes its work.
Murry Foust Northern Kentucky University Covington Police Department Wilder Kentucky missing student Campbell County Coroner EquuSearch Midwest Latonia neighborhood Over-the-Rhine fine arts degree