Tom and Alesia Lacina sent the following to an Iowa State Daily e-mail account Wednesday afternoon:

Knowing that there will be inquiries, I’ve decided to distribute the following statement in advance:

We thank the State of Iowa Medical Examiner for the careful work done to determine cause and method of death. The results are consistent with the investigative work of the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, ISU Department of Public Safety and the city of Ames Police Department indicating no foul play was involved. Our conclusion is that Jon had a tragic accident composed of falling down a dark and likely snow-covered set of steps, cutting his hands on the glass window in the door when his body or head hit it, and then drifting into unconsciousness in below 40 degree, humid weather, resulting in death from hypothermia.

We have decided to avoid dwelling further on Jon’s untimely death so his life does not become an agent of ongoing despair. We chose to focus on the kind person Jon was during his life and how we might experience our remaining lives more deeply in his honor and fulfill those things he valued most. We encourage Jon’s friends and classmates to do the same.

We thank all who have done more than we could have imagined to support our family through the months since Jon’s disappearance. It has been both humbling and comforting, humbling to know so many care about us and comforting to know so many care about Jon. We also thank all who contributed so generously to the Jon Lacina Arts Fund and Reward Fund. That money will be given to the Grinnell Area Arts Council to establish a memorial supporting the arts in Jon’s name.