Pathologist says foul play not suspected in Lacina’s death

A pathologist at the State Medical Examiner’s Office said Thursday she does not suspect foul play in the death of ISU student Jon Lacina.

“With the information that is available at this time, it appears that any type of foul play is unlikely,” said Dr. Michele Catellier.

The official cause and manner of death have not been determined, and Catellier would not speculate further about the death because the final autopsy results are not complete.

Director of Public Safety Jerry Stewart said that his department didn’t consider any new developments to have been made in the case because the autopsy results had yet to be returned.

Catellier said final autopsy results may be available in two weeks, but she’s expecting them to take at least four weeks. She said it is not unusual for tests to take several weeks to complete.

Lacina, 22, senior in graphic design, was last seen January 22 and was reported missing January 30. After an investigation and months-long search, his body was found April 14 in the dairy pavilion south of campus. Later that month, a tree was planted near the College of Design in his memory.