New Jersey

New Jersey College Student Missing for More Than a Month Found Dead Near Campus

What to Know

  • Nicholas Pratico was reported missing by his family on Sept. 20; his friends took to social media in a desperate plea to help find him
  • Pratico had last been seen that September afternoon on campus at his Mercer County Community College
  • His body was found across the street by Hamilton Police and New Jersey State Police Monday morning

The 18-year-old New Jersey college student reported missing more than a month ago has been found dead across the street from his own campus, authorities said. 

Details on the circumstances surrounding the discovery of Nicholas Pratico's body were not immediately released. 

Hamilton Police said they, along with New Jersey State Police, found Practico's body across from Mercer County Community College campus on Old Trenton Road around 10 a.m. Monday. They did not say if there was any kind of obvious trauma to the body; an autopsy will be conducted to determine how Pratico died.

Pratico was reported missing by his family on Sept. 20. The Notre Dame High School graduate had last been seen at his West Windsor campus that afternoon.

His friends took to social media in a desperate effort to find him. One friend's plea for help via Facebook was shared more than 20,000 times.

In the post, the friend said Pratico might have gone to New York City to audition at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.

In a statement Monday, Hamilton Police asked that his family's privacy be respected as they grieve.

"The Hamilton Police Division extends its deepest condolences to the Pratico family and would like to thank all the contributing state, local, county agencies and civilian volunteers for their assistance in this tragic incident," the statement said.

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