Missing NJ College Student's Body Found

MADISON, NJ — Authorities discovered the body of a Drew University student who went missing in January. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office confirmed Monday that Ajay Sah's body had been discovered in Brooklyn's Anchorage Channel.

The prosecutor's office does not consider his death suspicious, a spokesperson told Patch.

Sah, 22, was last seen on campus Jan. 19 and reported missing three days later. Investigation revealed that the international student from Nepal boarded an NJ Transit train to New York Penn Station. Surveillance footage revealed in March showed Sah holding a camera on the Brooklyn Bridge.

The junior's disappearance remained a mystery until the discovery of further evidence that the prosecutor's office revealed Monday. Authorities discovered a body March 9 in the Anchorage Channel. Unable to identify them, the New York Police Department notified Morris County's Missing Persons Unit on April 25.

Additionally, a beachgoer discovered Sah's backpack in Sea Bright. They turned the backpack over to authorities in late April.

After detectives conferred, the New York City's chief medical examiner identified Sah through x-ray analysis. The final death certificate is pending.

"We appreciate all of the hard work put into tracing Mr. Sah’s movements," said Acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll. "We pray the Sah family finds closure following the tragic loss of their family member. I’d also like to thank the public for its help in getting the word out about this missing person.”

The prosecutor's office notified Drew University of Sah's death earlier Monday. The institution made grief counselors available to the university community.

Drew will also hold a memorial service for Sah.

"Ajay will be greatly missed by the entire Drew community, as well as the community of Madison, New Jersey,"said Frank Merckx, Drew's vice president of student life. "The thoughts and prayers of the greater Drew family go out to his close friends and family."

Madison Mayor Robert Conley ordered flags throughout the borough to fly at half mast Tuesday.

"On behalf of the council and the entire community, we are tremendously saddened by the loss of Ajay," Conley said. "Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Sah family and the Drew community. We hope for peace and comfort in the days and weeks ahead."

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